US judge’s home burns down weeks after ruling against Trump admin

South Carolina Judge Diane Goodstein, whose $1.5 million beach house was destroyed in a fire, spoke to the UK’s Daily Mail following the incident. She said she was “alright” and referred further questions to court officials. The blaze gutted her Colleton County home over the weekend. The suspected arson incident struck her family home in Edisto Beach just weeks after her ruling on voter registration records opposing the Trump administration, brought her into the national spotlight.

Judge Goodstein, 69, answered her phone Monday morning and replied with a calm, “I am alright.” She added she would be “happy to direct you to a court administrator” for more details, the Daily Mail reported.

The full scale of the damage became apparent after her elevated beachfront property—reportedly four bedrooms and four baths—was consumed by flames.

The 69-year-old judge was out walking on the beach when the fire erupted, according to local reports.

Inside the house were her former state senator husband, Arnold Goodstein, their son, and other family members. Arnold, who leapt from a first-floor window to escape the inferno, was airlifted to hospital with multiple broken bones. Two others were also hospitalised.

South Carolina Chief Justice John Kittredge said that the fire resulted from an ‘apparent explosion’ but officials are still investigating, The Daily Mail reported.

Goodstein’s husband Arnold reportedly leaped from the burning building after helping other family members escape.

“Arnie’s injuries may have been the most serious, for he was airlifted to the hospital,” Kittredge added.

FIRE AFTER KEY RULING

The timing of the blaze has drawn attention, as the Judge had recently issued a key ruling opposing the Trump administration’s request for South Carolina to hand over sensitive voter registration records.

The Department of Justice had sought personal data on more than 3.3 million state voters—including birth dates and the last four digits of Social Security numbers. Her ruling temporarily blocked the transfer, putting her at odds with both federal authorities and South Carolina’s Republican Governor, Henry McMaster, whose administration sought to overturn her decision on appeal.

Goodstein had reportedly received death threats in the weeks following that ruling.

DEMOCRAT LEADER LINKS FIRE TO MAGA

In reaction to the fire, Democratic Congressman Daniel Goldman publicly criticised White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, accusing him and the “MAGA supporters” of revealing personal information and threatening judges who ruled against Trump, including Judge Goodstein.

“Today, someone committed arson on the Judge’s home, severely injuring her husband and son. Will Trump speak out against the extreme right that did this?,” the tabloid quoted Goldman as saying.

Miller was quick to respond, branding Goldman’s suggestion “deeply warped and vile”.

But Goldman then called Miller out again for failing to directly respond to his claims.

While speculation has swirled over potential political motives, as of now, authorities suggest there is no evidence supporting arson or a prefire explosion. The investigation remains active, with fire officials, law enforcement, and judicial authorities working to determine exactly how the blaze began.

– Ends