Consider This from NPR

Episode: Pennsylvania Democratic Governor Josh Shapiro on Resisting Trump
Original Air Date: January 27, 2026
Host: Scott Detrow (NPR)
Guest: Josh Shapiro, Governor of Pennsylvania

Overview:

This episode of "Consider This" features a candid conversation with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro as he reflects on personal challenges—including surviving an arson attack at his home—and his approach to resisting policies from the Trump administration. As a prominent Jewish leader and rising Democratic figure, Shapiro discusses the threats posed by federal intervention in state affairs, election integrity, and the role of faith and public service in turbulent times. The conversation offers insights into his current priorities, his political philosophy, and speculation about his future ambitions.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. The Arson Attack and Faith Under Threat

• Incident Overview: Last spring, an arson attack targeted Shapiro’s residence as his family celebrated Passover.

  • “The governor's residence was on fire. A state trooper told him the Shapiro's had to get out of the house and fast.” (Scott Detrow, 00:00)
  • Fortunately, no one was harmed.

• Shapiro’s Response:

  • “I wanted people to know that I was not afraid. I wanted people to know that nothing was going to deter me from doing my job as governor and nothing would deter me from practicing my faith.” (Josh Shapiro, 00:26)
  • He emphasizes the broader impact of political violence: “Political violence, while targeted at one particular individual, is designed to stoke fear in a broader community. … We were still going to do a second seder.” (Josh Shapiro, 00:39)

• Faith and Public Life: Shapiro discusses how being Jewish is “just interwoven in everything I do.” (Josh Shapiro, 01:04)

2. Confrontation with the Trump Administration

• As Attorney General, Shapiro made it clear:

  • “If someone's going to mess with a Pennsylvanian, they're going to have to go through me, and that includes the President of the United States.” (Josh Shapiro, 01:19)

• Federal Deployments:

  • The Trump administration’s use of ICE and the National Guard is a recurring concern.
  • Shapiro argues, “When Donald Trump deploys … into a community where a mayor or governor does not want them there, he immediately erodes the trust that exists in a community. ... Instead of making communities safer ... they actually create danger in a community.” (Josh Shapiro, 01:31; reiterated at 04:32)
  • He connects this to specific tragedies and increased risk to vulnerable populations.

3. Community Safety and Law Enforcement Strategies (04:32)

• Shapiro stresses the importance of trust between law enforcement and communities.
  • “I made a commitment as governor to hire 2,000 police officers and invest hundreds of millions of dollars in violence prevention initiatives to create more trust between the community and law enforcement. And it’s working.” (Josh Shapiro, 04:32)
  • “Violent crime is down 12% in Pennsylvania. Fatal gun violence is down 43% in Pennsylvania.” (Josh Shapiro, 04:51)
• He asserts that ICE operations damage this trust and infringe on constitutional rights:
  • “What you see with ICE are people who are harming that trust and making communities less safe.” (Josh Shapiro, 06:29)
• Countermeasures:
  • Committed to legal action if federal forces are deployed unlawfully.
  • Coordination among state and local police to limit federal overreach.

4. Election Integrity and Democratic Strategy (06:39)

• Shapiro has actively opposed efforts to undermine Pennsylvania’s elections.
  • He notes being taken to court 43 times by Trump and his allies after 2020:
    • “He and his allies took me to court 43 different times to try and overturn the 2020 election, by the way. I went 43, 0. They went 0 and 43.” (Josh Shapiro, 07:17)
• 2024 and Beyond:
  • Continues to resist federal attempts to obtain private voter information:
    • “They asked, recently, demanded ... all of the private voter information ... about 9 million or so registered Pennsylvania voters ... We refuse to turn that over because I believe they're gonna use it for nefarious purposes.” (Josh Shapiro, 07:44)
  • The administration is preparing to “ramp up trying to undermine the midterms” through lawsuits and conspiracy theories.
• Call to Action:
  • “Now is a time to engage, not to retreat. ... The power we have is the power to vote.” (Josh Shapiro, 09:25)
  • Emphasizes record turnout as the strongest rebuke to federal chaos and corruption.

5. Political Future & Memoir (09:58)

• Reflects on his memoir, "Where We Keep the Light":
  • Wrote to inspire better political listening and holistic leadership:
    • “I travel ... and I just see goodness. I see people who are bringing light in their communities every single day, solving problems.” (Josh Shapiro, 10:14)
  • On speculation about a presidential run:
    • “I want to have a voice in shaping [the heart and soul of the Democratic Party]... but I don't think anyone can look past the immediate term here this year. ... Most importantly, these midterm elections. And that's all I'm going to focus on.” (Josh Shapiro, 10:47)
  • Does not confirm or deny 2028 presidential ambitions.

Notable Quotes & Moments

• On Political Violence:

  • “[I wanted to show] nothing was going to deter me from doing my job as governor and nothing would deter me from practicing my faith.” (Josh Shapiro, 00:26)

• On State vs. Federal Power:

  • “If someone’s going to mess with a Pennsylvanian, they’re going to have to go through me, and that includes the President of the United States.” (Josh Shapiro, 01:19)

• On Community Trust:

  • “If you want to have safe communities, you’ve got to build trust between law enforcement and the people that they serve and protect.” (Josh Shapiro, 04:32)

• On Election Security:

  • “He and his allies took me to court 43 different times to try and overturn the 2020 election, by the way. I went 43, 0. They went 0 and 43.” (Josh Shapiro, 07:17)

• On Voter Engagement:

  • “Now is a time to engage, not to retreat. ... The power we have is the power to vote.” (Josh Shapiro, 09:25)

Key Timestamps

• 00:26 – Shapiro responds to arson attack and faith under threat.
• 01:19 – Defiance to Trump’s federal interventions.
• 04:32 – Law enforcement strategy and results in Pennsylvania.
• 07:09 – On defending election integrity and resisting federal overreach.
• 09:25 – Call for civic engagement and voter turnout.
• 10:08 – Discussing his memoir and vision for politics.
• 10:47 – Shapiro’s reluctance to discuss 2028, prioritizing midterms.

Tone & Final Thoughts

Shapiro’s tone throughout is resolute, personal, and often hopeful. He positions himself as a defender of democratic values and community trust against federal overreach, while interweaving his personal experiences and faith as motivating forces. Listeners are left with a sense of steadfast determination, invitations to civic engagement, and a glimpse at the qualities that might define a future presidential contender.