Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer is calling on the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate the recent arson attack on Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro as a potential federal hate crime, citing concerns that the act may have been driven by antisemitic motives.
In a letter addressed to Attorney General Pam Bondi, Schumer urged the DOJ and FBI to launch a full investigation under federal civil rights laws, specifically citing 18 U.S.C. 249. The April 13 attack occurred while the Shapiro family was asleep in their home, which was set on fire by a suspect who has since been charged with attempted homicide, terrorism, and aggravated arson.
“The DOJ must immediately get to the underlying motive of this case and prosecute it to the fullest extent of the law,” Schumer said. “We cannot rid society of evil, hatred, or antisemitism without investigating all possible hate crime cases and calling it out immediately, loudly, and justly when substantiated.”
According to law enforcement affidavits, the suspect made multiple statements suggesting his actions were motivated by hatred toward Shapiro’s religious identity and political stance on issues involving the Palestinian people. Schumer noted that the timing of the attack—during the Jewish holiday of Passover—further amplifies the need to scrutinize the incident as a possible antisemitic act.
“While the local district attorney has not yet filed hate-crime charges, he acknowledged that Governor Shapiro’s religion appears to have factored into the suspect’s decisions,” Schumer wrote.
The New York senator emphasized the need for swift federal action to protect public officials and all Americans from religiously motivated violence.
“No person or public official should be targeted because of their faith, and no community should wonder whether such acts will be met with silence,” Schumer added.
FingerLakes1.com is the region’s leading all-digital news publication. The company was founded in 1998 and has been keeping residents informed for more than two decades. Have a lead? Send it to [email protected].