The home of South Carolina Circuit Court Judge Diane Goodstein, who recently ruled against former U.S. President Donald Trump, was burned to the ground on Saturday, October 4.
According to The Post and Courier, Judge Goodstein was walking her dogs when her Edisto Beach residence suddenly caught fire. Other members of her family were inside at the time, including her husband, decorated Vietnam War veteran and former Democratic state senator Arnold Goodstein. Reports indicate that several family members sustained serious injuries after jumping from windows and balconies to escape the blaze.
Colleton County Fire Rescue Capt. K.C. Campbell confirmed that three people were hospitalized following the incident.
Initial reports suggested the fire may have been caused by “an explosion,” according to South Carolina Chief Justice John Kittredge, who spoke to FITSNews. However, officials have not confirmed this claim and have yet to determine whether the fire was accidental or deliberate.
Authorities have urged the public to avoid speculation while the investigation continues. “Until that determination is made, [State Law Enforcement Division Chief Mark Keel] has alerted local law enforcement to provide extra patrols and security,” Kittredge said.
Keel provided an update on Monday, October 6, emphasizing that agents had found no evidence to suggest the fire was intentionally set or caused by an explosion. He stated that investigations remain ongoing and assured that more details will be shared once the inquiry is complete.
Judge Goodstein, 69, had reportedly received de@th threats in the weeks leading up to the incident, sources told FITSNews. This revelation has fueled public speculation about possible motives behind the fire.
In September, Goodstein issued a ruling temporarily blocking the South Carolina Election Commission from releasing voter files to the U.S. Department of Justice under Trump’s March executive order aimed at preventing non-citizens from registering to vote—a practice already prohibited by law. In her decision, Goodstein wrote that handing over the data could cause “immediate and irreparable damage” to voters’ privacy rights.
Her ruling was later overturned by the South Carolina Supreme Court and publicly criticized by Republican Governor Henry McMaster and DOJ official Harmeet Dhillon.
The incident comes amid a rise in politically motivated violence across the United States, following the September 10 shooting of conservative activist Charlie Kirk, the murders of Democratic Minnesota House Leader Melissa Hortman and her husband, Mark, and an arson attack on the home of Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro.
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