Donald Trump’s White House Deputy Chief of Staff for Policy Stephen Miller criticized [1] Rep. Daniel Goldman of New York after the congressman posted on X that “the extreme right” was responsible for a weekend fire at the South Carolina home of Judge Diane Schafer Goodstein.
The exchange followed reports that the blaze occurred Saturday and destroyed a residence identified by the Post and Courier as owned by Judge Goodstein and her husband, former South Carolina state lawmaker Arnold Goodstein.
Goldman wrote on X, “Trump, @StephenM and MAGA-world have been doxxing and threatening judges who rule 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??”
Trump, @StephenM [2] and MAGA-world have been doxxing and threatening judges who rule 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?? https://t.co/Dl8JcUted7 [3]
— Daniel Goldman (@danielsgoldman) October 6, 2025 [4]
Miller responded with a post criticizing the claims and the characterization of recent events.
“You are vile. Deeply warped and vile. While the Trump Administration has launched the first-ever government-wide effort to combat and prosecute illegal doxing, sinister threats and political violence you continue to push despicable lies, demented smears, malicious defamation and foment unrest. Despicable,” Miller declared.
He added: “Meanwhile, the Democrat AG nominee in Virginia is fantasizing about murdering his opponents and a Biden federal judge is showing radical leniency to a monster who tried to assassinate a Supreme Court Justice. While you post your libelous madness, we will keep focused on delivering public safety and fighting domestic terror,” he concluded.
You are vile. Deeply warped and vile. While the Trump Administration has launched the first-ever government-wide effort to combat and prosecute illegal doxing, sinister threats and political violence you continue to push despicable lies, demented smears, malicious defamation and…
— Stephen Miller (@StephenM) October 6, 2025 [5]
Goldman replied, pressing Miller to address his central claim.
“Now try answering my question. If you are trying to combat political violence, why don’t you condemn the political violence against a judge who ruled against you and your admin? It’s pretty simple: do you condemn all political violence or only that against your supporters?”
Now try answering my question.
If you are trying to combat political violence, why don’t you condemn the political violence against a judge who ruled against you and your admin?
It’s pretty simple: do you condemn all political violence or only that against your supporters?
— Daniel Goldman (@danielsgoldman) October 6, 2025 [6]
Local reporting provided additional details about the fire and injuries to members of the Goodstein family.
The Post and Courier reported that the residence destroyed in the blaze is owned by Judge Goodstein and Arnold Goodstein.
Separate coverage from FITSNews cited a message from South Carolina Supreme Court Chief Justice John Kittredge describing how family members escaped the home.
According to that message, “Judge Goodstein was walking on the beach when the fire started,” but that “Her husband, Arnie, was in the house with children and perhaps grandchildren. The family had to escape by jumping from a window or balcony. I’m told there were injuries from the fall, such as broken legs.”
Kittredge also wrote, “Arnie’s injuries may have been the most serious, for he was airlifted to the hospital,” according to the outlet.
The online exchange centered on whether the incident should be characterized as arson and whether any specific group could be credibly identified as responsible.
Goldman’s post asserted arson and attributed the act to “the extreme right.”
Miller’s response rejected those claims and focused on broader disputes over political rhetoric, public safety efforts, and recent cases that have drawn national attention.
Judge Goodstein serves on the South Carolina Circuit Court.
The fire occurred on Saturday, and footage shared by local outlets showed heavy smoke and flames at the residence.
Reports indicated that multiple family members were injured while escaping, including injuries sustained in a jump from a window or balcony.
As of the latest statements cited in the exchange, Goldman continued to press for a condemnation of political violence in connection with the fire, while Miller’s posts emphasized administration actions against doxing and threats and criticized what he described as defamatory claims.
The online back-and-forth highlighted continuing scrutiny of threats against members of the judiciary and the responses by elected officials and administration aides when incidents occur.
Further updates from local authorities were not included in the posts referenced by Goldman and Miller.
Information from the Post and Courier and FITSNews provided ownership details of the destroyed property and the condition of family members in the immediate aftermath of the fire, including that Arnold Goodstein was airlifted for medical treatment following the escape.
The public exchange on X continued as officials and media reported on the incident and its impact on the Goodstein family.