A view shows South Carolina Judge Diane Goodstein's Edisto Beach home on fire, South Carolina, U.S., October 4, 2025, in this still image obtained from social media video. Robby Borden/TMX/via REUTERS
The South Carolina state judge whose house burned to the ground under suspicious circumstances was an explicit target of hate and threats by President Donald Trump's supporters in the days before, The Daily Beast reported on Monday.
Judge Diane Goodstein, who sits on a state circuit court, had temporarily blocked South Carolina from handing over voter information to the Trump administration, prompting an outcry from Justice Department officials. Harmeet Dhillon, Trump's civil rights division chief, posted to X that the Justice Department "will not stand for a state court judge’s hasty nullification of our federal voting laws."
That's when the fury started coming in from other accounts.
One account boasting over 11,000 followers proclaimed, “Rain Holy hell fire onto these judges who interfere with the Executive branch.” Per the Beast, another stated, “Diane S. Goodstein, may all your evil wishes and evil deeds directed towards Trump and the MAGA boomerang back and stick to you and yours a thousandfold. Shmsm. Amen.”
Goodstein's home burst into flames over the weekend, with her family still inside it. Three people, including her husband, had to be rushed to the hospital with severe injuries.
State law enforcement is investigating the matter as possible arson. A final determination wasn't immediately known publicly about the cause, nor whether foul play was involved. No suspects or motives have been announced.
That hasn't stopped some politicians from speculating that Trump and his allies' attacks on judges could have been an inciting factor, with Rep. Dan Goldman (D-NY) specifically trading barbs with Stephen Miller on X about the issue.