Department calls project ‘waste of taxpayer funds’ and cancels it completely to save costs
The U.S. Department of Transportation announced Monday that it will save American taxpayers over $60 million by ending a grant to help fund a high-speed rail project in Texas.
Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy made the announcement, saying an agreement between the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Amtrak to terminate the $63.9 million grant had been reached.
The grant was awarded to Amtrak under the Corridor Identification and Development Program for the Amtrak Texas High-Speed Rail Corridor, previously known as the Texas Central Railway project.
“I am pleased to announce that FRA and Amtrak are in agreement that underwriting this project is a waste of taxpayer funds and a distraction from Amtrak’s core mission of improving its existing subpar services,” Duffy said. “If the private sector believes this project is feasible, they should carry the pre-construction work forward, rather than relying on Amtrak and the American taxpayer to bail them out. My department will continue to look for every opportunity to save federal dollars and prioritize efficiencies.”
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The Texas Central Railway project was originally announced as a private venture, but its cost estimates increased dramatically, and the project became dependent on federal dollars and Amtrak for its development.
DOT said the capital cost for the project is believed to be more than $40 billion, adding that the price makes construction unrealistic. The cost also makes the project a risky venture for taxpayers.
Amtrak has struggled with operating deficits, though ridership has recovered since the pandemic.
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The main rail company in the U.S. has also experienced operational challenges, including the loss of its Horizon coach fleet to corrosion and delays in the Northeast Corridor.
FRA has made fixing Amtrak’s issues a top priority.
Amtrak, under the Biden administration, considered massive loans underwritten by the U.S. government, as well as grants, to be able to take on construction activities, DOT said.
Walking away from the Texas project allows Amtrak to focus on much-needed improvements to be more reliable to its riders, according to the DOT.
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“Connecting Dallas and Houston remains one of the more exciting opportunities for new passenger rail in the United States,” FRA Chief Counsel Kyle Fields said. “Today’s announcement reflects a recognition by Amtrak and FRA that federalizing the Texas Central Railway proposal is not the best use of taxpayer funding.”
Amtrak did not respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment on the matter.
According to the DOT, the FRA will continue to seek out new rail projects.
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The $60 million saved by terminating the project will be reallocated for other projects that “support safe, efficient, and reliable rail transportation,” the DOT added.
DOGE delivers another win for taxpayers’ wallets after doing a deep dive into the VA’s systems
The Department of Veterans Affairs canceled an “unreasonably priced” $15.3 million contract in an effort to overhaul how the agency cares for its warfighters, the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) said Monday.
“Great work by the @DeptVetAffairs cancelling an unreasonably priced multi-year $15.3M services contract for ‘salary survey data and analysis,” a DOGE post on X states.
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The contract cost the agency $3.9 million annually.
It was replaced by a “market price” of $5,000, DOGE said, saving $11.1 million over the life of the agreement.
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Earlier this month, DOGE said the VA was paying $380,000 per month for minor website modifications. The contract was renewed and the work was not being done by one internal VA software engineer spending 10 hours per week.
In February, the VA announced that the dismissal of more than 1,000 employees would enable the agency to redirect more than $98 million annually in resources back to health care, benefits and services for VA beneficiaries.
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VA Secretary Doug Collins has defended DOGE cuts at the VA as part of the new administration’s efforts to reform the department and better serve veterans.
Americans forced to obtain new required documentation are left stranded after hitting roadblock
With the deadline for Real IDs fast approaching, many Americans are struggling to book appointments to obtain the new documentation — especially in the state of New Jersey.
Beginning May 7, air travelers at domestic airports and people entering some federal buildings must have what’s known as a Real ID.
On Monday in the Garden State, the Department of Motor Vehicles (NJDMV) website showed “0 appointments available” for Real ID services on its site.
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Yet there were 13,243 appointments available for non-driver IDs, 34,155 appointments open for transferring driver’s licenses from out of state, and 51,809 renewal appointments available.
If a driver’s license falls within the renewal period, the person can book a renewal appointment to upgrade to a Real ID — and there are 51,809 appointments available.
Fox News Digital reached out to Gov. Phil Murphy’s office for comment.
“As seen in states across the country, the demand for Real ID now is extraordinarily high ahead of the start of federal enforcement in May,” said the NJDMV’s automated voice service on Monday.
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The department says 3,000 new appointments for Real ID upgrades are added each business day starting at 7 a.m.
“The upcoming enforcement date is most relevant for those New Jerseyans who plan to fly domestically in the short term and do not have a form of identification that will meet federal real ID requirements,” the automated voice also said on Monday.
As of Monday, the NJDMW had issued 1,381,916 REAL ID-compliant licenses and IDs, a spokesperson told Fox News Digital.
“The NJMVC is processing record numbers of in-person transactions, especially Real IDs, and we continue to evaluate our operations and capacity each week, looking to add as many appointments for Real ID as possible,” the spokesperson added.
Valid passports can be used as an alternative to boarding domestic flights and entering federal facilities.
Valid passports can be used as an alternative to boarding domestic flights and entering federal facilities.
The processing time for an expedited passport is two to three weeks with additional fees, according to the State Department’s website.
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For Americans who don’t have a passport and are unable to obtain a DMV appointment in time, select AAA branches offer a Real ID service.
A spokesperson with AAA told Fox News Digital that Real ID services vary across the country and are available in six states – with New Jersey not included in that list.
“Some AAA branch offices that offer DMV services can also issue Real IDs. We recommend calling the AAA branch office in your local area to determine if those services are available,” said the spokesperson.
The spokesperson added, “The process is the same as it is at the DMV. However, there may be greater access to appointments at AAA branch offices. It also varies by location, but in some cases, these services are only available to AAA members.”
Two proofs of residential address, one proof of Social Security number, and six points of ID are required at appointments.
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Some New Jersey residents took to social media to share their frustration about trying to get a Real ID appointment.
“No one in New Jersey can get an appointment for a Real ID,” posted a user on X.
One user said, “Just par for the course for NJ. No Real ID appointments available. GET WITH THE TIMES, NJ.”
Another user posted, “Why is New Jersey not just using the 5,000 appointments they have for license renewals for Real ID applications?”
“In NJ, you can’t even get a Real ID for more than 3 [months], so you need to get a passport if you don’t have an unexpired one,” said an X user.
“Not once have I seen an open appointment.”
“I’ve been sporadically checking the NJ MVC website for Real ID appointments over the last few months and not ONCE have I seen an open appointment, lol,” said another user. So how “am I supposed to get one?”
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“The deadline to get a Real ID is next month and there’s no available appointments in the entire state of NJ, lolol,” posted another user.
Blue state’s Republican Party rips governor’s response to out-of-control juvenile crime
After Democrat Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham announced she’s sending the National Guard to Albuquerque to address a spike in juvenile crime and fentanyl, the state’s GOP said the move isn’t enough.
Grisham signed an executive order on April 8 that authorized the deployment of the 60-70 New Mexico National Guard personnel to Albuquerque by mid-May, citing the fentanyl epidemic and a rise in juvenile crime as “critical issues requiring immediate intervention.”
The National Guard, however, won’t be directly helping tackle the fentanyl crisis or juvenile crime. Instead, they’ll be used for scene security and traffic control, prisoner transport assistance and other roles that don’t involve arrests. A press release from Grisham’s office said the National Guard will free up Albuquerque Police Department resources.
New Mexico Republican Party Executive Director Leticia Muñoz told Fox News Digital that the National Guard deployment doesn’t come close to addressing the issue at hand. She said more substantive measures such as bail reform and harsher penalties are needed.
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“No, this is definitely not enough. What this is, is you can see a mismanagement, obviously, of the mayor. And, you know, as much as we appreciate all the work that the law enforcement is doing here in Albuquerque, we know that their hands are tied,” Muñoz said. “We know that there needs to be bail reform and reform as far as the deterrent of keeping individuals in jail longer.”
She said it seems like Democrats are trying to “coddle juveniles,” citing a proposed pilot program in the state that would provide up to $2,000 in housing assistance for juvenile suspects after their release from detention, if they’re well-behaved.
“That alone just shows you the coddling mentality that the Democrats have for any type of juveniles and crime here in the state,” she said of the proposal.
From 2019 to 2024, Albuquerque police have either arrested or cited 2,600 minors who were ages 11 to 17, according to KRQE.
In March, Albuquerque police arrested a 13-year-old boy after he was allegedly behind the wheel of a stolen car and hit 63-year-old Scott Dwight Habermehl, who was riding a bicycle to work in May 2024.
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Police also arrested two other minors, aged 11 and 15, who were inside the car with the 13-year-old at the time when Habermehl was hit.
They’re all being charged with first-degree murder, leaving the scene of an accident involving great bodily harm or death, conspiracy to commit murder and unlawful possession of a handgun by a person under 19.
The 13-year-old who was allegedly driving the car was also the suspect in a series of burglaries in June 2024.
Juvenile crime isn’t the only issue prompting the National Guard to be deployed to Albuquerque. Bernalillo County Sheriff John Allen told KOB4 that since establishing Operation Route 66 seven weeks ago, around 2,700 fentanyl pills have been taken off the streets and almost 400 arrests have been made.
“I will accept and collaborate with anybody that helps with crime, period. But our deputies and the New Mexico State Police, probation and parole, the DA’s office, we’ve had close to 400 arrests, and we’re getting fentanyl off the streets. I know that we’re making a difference in the community,” Allen said.
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Allen said Operation Route 66 is one of the reasons that Grisham is sending the National Guard.
The New Mexico Department of Health in January said fentanyl was involved in 65% of overdose deaths in the state in 2023, which is the most recent year for which data has been compiled.
Fox News Digital reached out to the National Guard, Albuquerque Police Department and Grisham’s office for comment.
Cory Booker, fresh off demonstrating that he is capable of going 25 hours without a bathroom break, is “demanding” an investigation into alleged insider trading at the Trump White House.
Booker contends that when the president announced a reprieve from the imposition of draconian tariffs, which set stocks soaring by record amounts, Trump or his White House colleagues likely traded on the news, illicitly reaping gains from the markets’ big moves.
The New Jersey senator has not one iota of proof that anyone in the Trump camp bought stocks ahead of the big announcement, but Booker, rapidly morphing into the P. T. Barnum of Democrat politics, is searching for showstoppers – facts be damned.
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Asked on NBC News’ Meet the Press if Democrats had any evidence of wrongdoing, Booker first dodged the question and then said, “There is enough of an offense here, there’s enough smoke here that should demand congressional hearings.” So, actually no.
Let’s be honest: Booker and his Democrat compatriots were furious that markets boomed in response to the temporary tariff hiatus. They and their media allies have worked overtime to scare voters, predicting that Trump’s trade moves will torpedo our economy; plunging markets fed their narrative. Not only has Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer et al promised that Trump will drive us into recession, they also suggest that his efforts to make global trading more favorable to U.S. firms will undermine the U.S. dollar’s status as the world’s reserve currency.
Democrats are not afraid that Trump will fail; they are panicked that he might actually succeed.
Booker most recently made headlines by breaking a fellow Democrat’s record for staging the longest-ever senate filibuster. Strom Thurmond, senator from South Carolina, held forth on the Senate floor for 24-plus hours in 1957 to block passage of the Civil Rights Act; Booker surpassed his feat, protesting not a bill, but everything to do with President Trump. It was lame, but he received a lot of publicity and for a Democrat panting to become his party’s presidential nominee, that’s evidently all that matters. Now he’s onto his next act.
Notwithstanding the lack of evidence of wrongdoing, several Democrats in the House, led by Maxine Waters, wrote a letter to SEC Chair Paul Atkins and other officials echoing the call for insider trading investigations. Someone should tell Democrats: be careful what you wish for. If Republicans in the House opened an investigation into trading on non-public information, what they discover might be highly embarrassing for Booker’s party.
For years, many have questioned the apparent trading expertise of former House Majority Leader Nancy Pelosi, who appears to have an uncanny knack for beating markets. Last year, for instance, according to trading platform Autopilot, the Nancy Pelosi “stock tracker” scored a gain of 54%, beating out nearly every hedge fund but Light Year Capital, which was up 59%. As one reporter described Pelosi’s feat: “Remarkably, it even beat the Inverse Cramer Stock Tracker, designed to do exactly the opposite of [CNBC’s] Jim Cramer’s stock picks, which itself posted an impressive 43% gain in 2024.
We can follow Pelosi’s trades, and those made by other members of Congress, because of the STOCK Act, passed in 2012, which required legislators to report stock or bond trades within 30 to 45 days if such transactions amount to more than $1,000. As lawmakers reveal investment decisions, the public can play along, investing in ETFs created by platforms like Unusual Whales. If you like what Democrats buy (or are convinced they have “special knowledge”), you can buy NANC; if you prefer the GOP approach, an ETF with the symbol KRUZ is for you.
For years, there have been calls to investigate portfolio moves made by members of Congress. Nancy Pelosi who, with her venture capital husband Paul, has an estimated net worth of about $250 million, has come under special scrutiny. But it is not only her stock trades which deserve scrutiny; much of the activity in her portfolio has included the buying and selling of options, which raises red flags. Trading puts and calls on stocks is done for a variety of reasons, including hedging, but such transactions are typically short term. They are not the vehicle of choice for long-term investors. Instead, they are the preferred vehicle for someone trading on breaking news, or who is aware that near-term events could drive stocks up or down.
For example, Investopedia reports that in November 2023, “Pelosi bought 50 Nvidia stock call options with a strike price of $120, valued at between $1 million and $5 million, with an expiration date of Dec. 20, 2024.” Her timing was impeccable. Nvidia stock sold at around $40 at the beginning of November; six months later, as significant policies about AI rolled out of the Joe Biden White House, it hit $90. A year later it traded around $140.
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Though Congress passed the STOCK Act, it has not prevented legislators from taking advantage of privileged information, though normal insider trading rules apply to them like other members of the public. To be fair, both Republicans and Democrats have been suspected of illegal trading.
Many have called in recent years for a ban on stock trading by members of Congress. Not surprisingly, those calls have gone unanswered. Employees of large banks are prohibited from trading stocks, because they have access to non-public information. The same is true of legislators, who routinely pass bills that can impact the future results of companies.
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The most recent Gallup poll on the subject asked, “How much trust and confidence do you have at this time in the legislative branch?” Only 4% answered “a great deal”, while 30% responded “a fair amount.” Banning stock trading might be a good call.
Meanwhile, Cory Booker might want to survey his colleagues before plunging into a widespread review of stock trading by elected officials. And, work on policies that help his constituents rather than troll for headlines.
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Prince William, Kate Middleton’s son’s school choice poses ‘dilemma,’ experts say
Prince William and Kate Middleton face a “huge dilemma” as parents to a future king.
The Prince and Princess of Wales reportedly have strong opposing views about which school their eldest son, Prince George, should enroll in. The 11-year-old is second in line to the British throne.
“There has been much speculation surrounding Prince George’s next school,” British broadcaster and photographer Helena Chard told Fox News Digital. “The discussions have been circulating for years, with the Prince and Princess of Wales reportedly arguing and debating the decision for years. I’m surprised the bookies haven’t initiated a bet on which school Prince George will attend next autumn!”
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“Most parents find choosing a good secondary school for their children daunting, even more so for the Prince and Princess of Wales, who want the best for Prince George,” she added.
Chard’s claims came shortly after sources told the U.K.’s Daily Mail that the family had already kickstarted the hunt for George’s next school earlier this year. According to the report, they have already visited several renowned schools in and around London.
Kate, 43, recently joined her eldest on a tour of her old school, Marlborough College, in Wiltshire. The report noted that George also toured Eton College, the former school of William and his younger brother Prince Harry. It has long been a popular choice for royals, aristocrats and politicians.
Fox News Digital reached out to Kensington Palace, which handles the offices of the Prince and Princess of Wales, for comment.
Chard said there’s a good reason why William and Kate are reportedly sparring over their choices.
“There has been a long line of unhappy schooling within the family,” Chard explained. “King Charles was very unhappy at Gordonstoun. Eton wasn’t suitable for Prince Harry. Even Princess Catherine was bullied at a secondary school. Therefore, she is committed to securing the perfect fit for Prince George. And let’s face it, the world is their oyster — they have the pick of all schools.”
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“Princess Catherine has allegedly made it clear that she would rather Prince George attend an unstuffy co-ed school,” Chard claimed.
“However, Eton College, the Berkshire-based school that educates boys aged between the ages of 13 and 18, has several high-profile alumni and has educated generations of the aristocracy. Referred to as ‘the nurse of England’s statesmen,’ the school is the largest boarding school in England, ahead of Millfield and Oundle.”
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“Sources claim there’s been a debate between the prestigious all-boys school, Eton College, and Marlborough College, the co-ed school which all three of the Middleton siblings attended,” Chard continued. “Eton College is the most suitable location and security-wise. It is close to their cottage in Windsor. The college is located in the Windsor security corridor and is financially covered. This is a big brownie point.”
Royal expert Ian Pelham Turner claimed to Fox News Digital that Kate wants to prevent her son from being bullied, just as she was as a child. She believes her choice is more laid-back for the young royal versus the stuffier Eton.
“School days for Kate at times were not the happiest as she experienced bullying, so she leaned more towards a less conventional education for George than William,” Turner claimed.
“William, on the other hand, wanted to keep his traditional education by sending George to Eton College, which he enjoyed, and let him keep in close contact with Harry. Kate favors a more relaxed education for George rather than the structured life at Eton which, although it has many opportunities, is steeped in tradition.”
“Who will win? I suspect George will go to Eton,” said Turner.
While William, who is next in line to the throne, had a positive experience at Eton, Harry admitted in his 2023 memoir “Spare” that he struggled with his grades. Consequently, he headed straight to the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. The Duke of Sussex wrote that Eton was “heaven for brilliant boys,” but it could only be “purgatory for one very unbrilliant boy.”
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Royal expert Richard Fitzwilliams claimed to Fox News Digital that Kate is leaning toward a more “contemporary choice” for her son and wants him closer to home.
“Time is fast approaching for a decision, as George is in his final year at Lambrook, and he will move to secondary education by September this year,” said Fitzwilliams
“The traditional choice would be Eton, a prestigious boys’ boarding school where the Dukes of Gloucester and Kent and Prince Michael of Kent were educated, as well as Diana’s brother, Earl Spencer, and her father. It is also near Adelaide Cottage, which would be ideal for the princess.”
“William and Catherine have always prioritized their family, especially during this difficult time when she has been so ill,” he noted. “As a future king, George is undoubtedly special. Where he goes to school will be an indication of the way his parents are thinking regarding the future of the monarchy.”
British royal expert Hilary Fordwich claimed to Fox News Digital that Kate prefers a co-ed institution because it aligns with having more of a “normal” upbringing.
“She was raised with strong family bonds and, therefore, prefers him to be at school with his siblings,” Fordwich claimed. “She also would prefer Prince George to live at home versus a boarding school, a tradition for many generations of the royal family.”
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Fordwich also noted that Kate isn’t afraid to break away from royal tradition if it means that her children will have as normal an upbringing as possible.
“One of their biggest departures from royal tradition has been concerning household chores and staff,” said Fordwich. “Each of the children has chores, and they don’t have a staff living with them to serve them. This was all due to Princess Catherine’s influence, to which Prince William acquiesced, since he so enjoyed all his visits to Middleton’s home and saw how bonding, natural and ‘normal’ family life could be.”
“It’s a balancing challenge between royal traditions and their desire to modernize the monarchy, which Prince William and Princess Catherine are most carefully navigating,” said Fordwich. “Their differing views are… rather healthy as it demonstrates how much thought is going into the process.”
Chard pointed out that William broke a royal precedent by going to Eton, rather than Gordonstoun. The BBC also reported that when Charles attended Gordonstoun, he became the first Prince of Wales to be educated at a school, rather than by private tutors. The institution also became the first senior school to educate a British monarch.
And other perks at Eton would make mother and son happy, she shared.
“Eton has a long and notable connection to the British military, but it also provides a robust arts education and opportunities for students to engage with the creative world,” she said.
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“Prince George is very creative and even remarked that he would like to try his hand as a chef. Princess Catherine will be happy with the creative options. What we can be certain of is they will have explored every option.”
According to the Daily Mail, Eton’s “world-class” theater department caught Kate’s eye. However, its 30-mile distance from Windsor is still questionable for her.
Still, Chard admitted, “I will put my money on Eton.”
“The only thing it doesn’t have at the moment is the co-ed facility,” she said. “… Princess Catherine, whose royal work focuses on the social and emotional well-being of the early years of a child’s life, is well aware that ‘one size doesn’t fit all.’”
Illegal immigrant tackled by federal agents at courthouse after attempting to flee
A Venezuelan man in the United States illegally was tackled at a New Hampshire courthouse by federal agents earlier this year after he fled from their attempt to detain him quietly in an elevator.
Arnuel Marquez Colmenarez, 33, was taken into custody while he was heading to a court arraignment on charges for drunken driving, driving without a license and failing to provide information after an accident, according to The Associated Press via the Nashua Police Department.
Video from Feb. 20 that was released by the Nashua Circuit Court on Monday showed Colmenarez going through security at the courthouse and getting into an elevator with the federal agents and a few other people.
As others left the elevator, an agent can be seen touching Colmenarez lightly on the shoulder, then talking to him. The video does not include audio, but Colmenarez can be seen running out of the elevator after a few seconds.
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Two agents chased him out of the elevator and threw him to the ground a few feet away, knocking down an older man who was walking with a cane in the process.
Court liaison officer for the Hudson Police Department, Jared Neff, said he was in the prosecutor’s office when he heard something going on near the elevators and decided to go check it out.
“There were voices yelling ‘Stop!’ and then a loud ‘bang’ which sounded like people had fallen on the ground and were actively fighting and struggling,” he wrote in an incident report, according to The AP.
Neff helped the agents restrain Colmenarez, who could be seen in the video resisting attempts to be handcuffed.
The older man who was knocked down remained lying on his back during the apprehension, and it took a minute or so for him to receive help, the video showed. It’s unclear if he was injured.
The agents allegedly told Neff they had been ordered to detain illegal immigrants, and had tried to do so quietly in the elevator.
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A bench warrant was issued for Colmenarez since he failed to show up for arraignment and the prosecutor over the case was not contacted by federal agents beforehand nor was aware of his arrest, according to The AP.
Colmenarez is being held at an ICE facility in Texas as of Monday, The AP reported after viewing an online database.
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His arrest at the courthouse comes after President Donald Trump repealed a 2011 policy that had federal agents typically avoid making arrests at courthouses, schools, places of worship and hospitals.
Current policy allows for immigration arrests “in or near courthouses when they have credible information that leads them to believe the targeted alien(s) is or will be present,” as long as state and local law doesn’t prohibit it.
Media outlet denied access to the El Salvador President-Trump conference speaks out
The Associated Press accused the White House of violating a court order after it was once again banned from an Oval Office event.
On Monday, AP writer David Bauder reported that a reporter and photographer were barred from attending a news conference with President Donald Trump and El Salvador President Nayib Bukele.
This decision came despite U.S. District Judge Trevor N. McFadden ruling last week that the White House had violated the Constitution by blocking the longtime publication’s access to press events.
“The Government offers no other plausible explanation for its treatment of the AP. The Constitution forbids viewpoint discrimination, even in a nonpublic forum like the Oval Office,” McFadden wrote in his order.
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McFadden ruled the White House must restore AP’s press access but delayed the order for one week to allow the White House a chance to appeal. According to Bauder’s article, the order was set to take effect on Monday.
The AP also reported that McFadden rejected the White House’s request to delay the order on Friday.
The White House quickly filed an appeal and set up a hearing with the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. circuit for Thursday over whether AP’s access can still be restricted while the case is reviewed.
In the meantime, AP spokeswoman Lauren Easton said in a statement that she expects access to be restored.
“Our journalists were blocked from the Oval Office today. We expect the White House to restore AP’s participation in the (White House press) pool as of today, as provided in the injunction order,” she said.
Fox News Digital reached out to the White House and AP for further comment.
The controversy began after Trump signed an executive order renaming the “Gulf of Mexico” to the “Gulf of America” on his first day in office. The AP later issued style guidance for how the news outlet would refer to the body of water.
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“The Gulf of Mexico has carried that name for more than 400 years. The Associated Press will refer to it by its original name while acknowledging the new name Trump has chosen. As a global news agency that disseminates news around the world, the AP must ensure that place names and geography are easily recognizable to all audiences,” the guidelines stated.
The White House then blocked AP from the Oval Office and Air Force One in February over its refusal to use the term “Gulf of America.”
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Suspect accused of torching governor’s mansion displays strange antics before court
The suspect accused of setting fire to Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro’s mansion over the weekend was out on bail when he allegedly committed the crime, Fox News has learned.
Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, resident Cody Balmer, 38, made bail and was due in court later this week over a 2023 simple assault charge, according to court records. A source told Fox News that the case was related to a domestic dispute.
Balmer was arraigned on Monday in connection with the arson attack, where he stuck his tongue out at reporters trying to ask him questions. Speaking to Judge Dale Klein, Balmer identified himself as a former welder who is not currently employed, and stated that he had no savings or income.
Balmer also said that he had no history of substance or alcohol abuse, and said that he had taken medication for mental health in the past, but that the pills “lead [him] to different types of behavior.” The judge later denied Balmer’s bail request on the grounds that his behavior endangered the community.
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Earlier on Monday, the Pennsylvania State Police (PSP) said that Balmer was “currently receiving treatment” at a hospital for a “medical event not connected to this incident or his arrest.”
The suspect was charged with attempted murder, aggravated arson, burglary, terrorism, and other related offenses after allegedly setting the fire at around 2 a.m. on Sunday morning.
Shapiro and his family celebrated the first night of the Jewish holiday of Passover shortly before the fire started, and were asleep at the time of the incident.
In a press conference on Sunday, PSP Lt. Col. George Bivens said that Balmer hopped fences and brought “homemade incendiary devices” to the governor’s mansion.
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“He actively evaded troopers who were here to secure the residence,” the official explained. “While [police] were searching is when he attacked at the residence, [and] broke in and set the fires…it was a very quick event that occurred.”
Shapiro denounced the attack on Sunday and expressed gratitude to the authorities who saved him and his family.
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“This kind of violence is becoming far too common in our society,” Shapiro said. “And I don’t give a damn if it’s coming from one particular side or the other, directed at one particular party or another, or one particular person or another. It is not okay and it has to stop. We have to be better than this.”