DONKEY: Suspect Charged With Terrorism After Arson Attack On Gov. Shapiro’s Residence

Summary

The Breakfast Club Episode Summary

Title: DONKEY: Suspect Charged With Terrorism After Arson Attack On Gov. Shapiro’s Residence
Host/Authors: Charlamagne Tha God, DJ Envy, and others
Release Date: April 14, 2025

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Incident Overview

In this episode of The Breakfast Club, the hosts delve into the harrowing event of a recent arson attack on Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro’s residence. The incident occurred on the first night of Passover, targeting the Governor and his family as they slept. The suspect, Cody Palmer, a 38-year-old resident from Harrisburg, has been arrested and charged with terrorism in connection to this attack.

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Details of the Arson Attack

Charlamagne Tha God introduces the segment by highlighting the gravity of the situation:

Charlamagne Tha God (02:16): "Today for Monday, April 14th goes to 38 year old Cody Palmer of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Now, if you haven't heard, Cody is the suspect who's been arrested and charged with terrorism because of an arson attack on Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's residence over the weekend as Josh Shapiro's and his family slept."

Harley Quinn Smith provides a report detailing the aftermath:

Harley Quinn Smith (02:58): "Governor Josh Shapiro described himself as emotional but not fearful outside the governor's residence in Harrisburg Sunday afternoon. This after State Police say 38 year old Cody Ballmer of Harrisburg set the state dining room on fire overnight. New video shows the destruction where Shapiro and his family celebrated Passover just hours before on Saturday night."

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Hosts' Analysis and Discussion

Kevin Hart takes a deep dive into the implications of the attack, exploring potential motives and the broader societal context:

Kevin Hart (03:21): "This kind of violence is becoming far too common in our society and I don't give a damn if it's coming from one particular side or the other."

He continues by reflecting on the historical parallels and the resurgence of latent prejudices in America:

Kevin Hart (03:30): "What happened to Governor Shapiro and his family could happen to anybody who is a member of a marginalized group. In 2025, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. said it best. An injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. And this was a complete injustice."

Hart draws comparisons to past violent incidents targeting influential African American leaders to emphasize the persistent nature of such threats:

Kevin Hart (06:00): "One of the first times I heard about something like this happening was when it happened to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. January 30, 1956. Martin Luther King Jr.'s wife and child were inside when his home was firebombed. All praise is due to God. Neither of them were harmed. Malcolm X, February 14, 1965. His house was firebombed. He had his wife and four daughters in the house."

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Potential Motivations and Societal Implications

The hosts discuss possible motivations behind Palmer’s actions, considering both political and religious factors:

Kevin Hart (04:00): "When you look at the timing of the incident, first day of Passover and the fact, Governor Shapiro is a high profile Jewish man. If you are anti-Semitic and you're looking to make a statement, he's your guy."

Hart also touches upon the deteriorating security measures for elected officials:

Kevin Hart (05:30): "I don't know how Cody got this close to the Governor's mansion. I mean, it's the damn governor's mansion. There should never be a breach of security there."

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Mental Health and Accountability

Addressing Palmer's personal background, the conversation shifts to the role of mental health in such violent acts:

Kevin Hart (06:30): "Cody Palmer's mother said that Cody suffers from mental illness and he was off his medication. Mental health issues are serious and require compassion, but that doesn't excuse actions that endanger lives and threaten public safety."

Hart emphasizes the importance of holding individuals accountable while recognizing the complexities of mental health:

Kevin Hart (06:50): "He can get all the help he needs in somebody's prison, because we have to make examples of people like this."

Furthermore, Hart equates discriminatory hatred to a form of mental illness, advocating for empathy and understanding:

Kevin Hart (07:00): "If you hate people because of what they are—their race, their faith, their political party—you are mentally ill. Diversity is what truly makes America great."

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Historical Context and Parallels

By referencing historical figures and past tragedies, the hosts underscore the enduring nature of such violent expressions:

Kevin Hart (06:15): "When you hear certain stories, when you see certain images, especially horrific things like somebody firebombing your house while you're in there with your family, if you have any type of empathy, it sticks with you."

He reiterates the timeless relevance of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s words, drawing a direct line between past and present injustices:

Kevin Hart (06:40): "Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. And these words couldn't be more fitting because one of the first times I heard about something like this happening was when it happened to Dr. MLK."

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Conclusion

The episode concludes with a somber reflection on the attack's significance and a call for societal change. Kevin Hart urges listeners to support marginalized communities and to engage constructively in political discourse:

Kevin Hart (07:30): "Do we not understand that diversity is what truly makes America great? If you don't like somebody's politics, get into politics yourself and challenge them. Or support the politicians you like and help them defeat the politicians you don't."

He ends with a heartfelt plea for empathy and protection for all individuals, regardless of their background:

Kevin Hart (07:35): "Please give Cody Palmer of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania the biggest HE hug."

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Key Takeaways

• Incident Details: The arson attack targeted Governor Josh Shapiro’s residence during Passover, leading to charges of terrorism against Cody Palmer.
• Motivations Explored: Possible anti-Democratic and anti-Semitic motives, compounded by societal and political tensions.
• Societal Reflections: The discussion highlights the resurgence of old prejudices and the importance of diversity and empathy in contemporary America.
• Historical Parallels: Comparisons to past violence against African American leaders emphasize the ongoing struggle against hate-fueled attacks.
• Call to Action: Encourages listeners to engage positively in political processes and support marginalized communities to prevent future injustices.

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This episode of The Breakfast Club offers a comprehensive and poignant examination of a tragic event, intertwining current issues with historical context to provide listeners with a deep understanding of the underlying societal challenges.

Transcript

[Charlamagne Tha God]

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[Kevin Smith]

Hey kids, it's me, Kevin Smith.

[Kevin Hart]

And it's me, Harley Quinn Smith.

[Kevin Smith]

That's my daughter, man, who my wife has always said is just a beardless d ckless version of me. And that's the name of our podcast. Beardless Me. I'm the old one, I'm the young one. And every week we try to make each other laugh really hard. Sounds innocent, doesn't it? Lot of cussing, a lot of bad language. It's for adults only. Or listen to it with your kid. Could be a family show. We're not quite sure. We're still figuring it out.

[Harley Quinn Smith]

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[Kevin Smith]

Listen to Beardless with me on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast.

[Kevin Hart]

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[Charlamagne Tha God]

What is it?

[Kevin Hart]

I'm a donkey. Say it again. Charlamagne. I'm a donkey. Yes, you are a donkey. That Charlamagne is saying it's true. Yes, donkey. Today for Monday, April 14th goes to 38 year old Cody Palmer of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Now, if you haven't heard, Cody is the suspect who's been arrested and charged with terrorism because of an arson attack on Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro's residence over the weekend as Josh Shapiro's and his family slept. Now, Governor Josh Shapiro is Jewish and this incident happened on the first night of Passover. I don't know if this incident was a Jewish thing or a Democrat thing, but let's go to 6 ABC Phil for the report, please.

[Harley Quinn Smith]

Governor Josh Shapiro described himself as emotional but not fearful outside the governor's residence in Harrisburg Sunday afternoon. This after State Police say 38 year old Cody Ballmer of Harrisburg set the state dining room on fire overnight. New video shows the destruction where Shapiro and his family celebrated Passover just hours before on Saturday night.

[Kevin Hart]

This kind of violence is becoming far.

[Carlos Miller]

Too common in our society and I.

[Kevin Hart]

Don'T give a damn if it's coming from one particular side or the other.

[Kevin Smith]

And it has to stop.

[Harley Quinn Smith]

Police say it's clear Ballmer had a plan and moved quickly. They say he was inside the home less than a minute and used homemade devices, what sources described to ABC News as a Molotov cocktail. Sources tell ABC News Ballmer is a mechanic who expressed disdain for Democrats primarily related to financial issues. They're also not ruling out Shapiro's Jewish faith as a motivating factor.

[Kevin Hart]

Now, I'm not the highest grade of weed in the dispensary, but when somebody asked me do I think this was a Jewish thing or a Democrat thing, I'm gonna say a combination of both, okay? When you look at the timing of the incident, first day of Passover and the fact, Governor, you know, Shapiro is a high profile Jewish man. If you are anti Semitic and you're looking to make a statement, you're looking to make a splash, he's your guy. But what I want us to pay attention to is, is how America has gone completely backwards in a lot of ways. I don't even know if we've gone backwards or if a lot of these racist cancer cells were just laying dormant in the body of America. They were just in hibernation, okay? And they were just in a hibernation like state. And now they've been coaxed out of this slumber because of the current political climate in this country. Don't get me wrong, it's always existed, okay? But man, what happened to Governor Shapiro and his family could happen to anybody who, who is a member of a marginalized group. In 2025, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Said it best. An injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere. And this was a complete injustice. And those words couldn't be more fitting because one of the first times I heard about something like this happening was when it happened to Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. January 30, 1956. Martin Luther King Jr. S wife and child were inside when his home was firebombed. All praise is due to God. Neither of them were harmed. Okay, Malcolm X, February 14, 1965. His house was firebombed. He had his wife and four daughters in the house. By the way, to all the simple minded digital D heads out there, I am not comparing Governor Shapiro to Dr. MLK Jr. And Malcolm X. I'm just telling you that when you hear certain stories, when you see certain images, especially horrific things like somebody firebombing your house, setting your house on fire while you're in there with your family, if you have any type of empathy, it sticks with you. And you say to yourself, I pray that never happens to me and my family. And you thought that those things were just things of the past. But no, when you see them still happening to folks in 2025, it's just a reminder that potentially it could happen to you. Now, I don't know how Cody got this close to the Governor's mansion. I mean, it's the damn governor's mansion. There should never be a breach of security there. But I'm starting to believe when it comes to guarding elected officials, Pennsylvania has the worst security ever. I mean, that's what Donald Trump almost got clipped. And now a 38 year old kid can jump to Governor's. First of all, he's not a kid. What am I saying? And now a 38 year old man can jump the governor's mansion and actually start a fire with homemade devices and get away before he's ultimately caught. Now, Cody Bomber's mother said that Cody suffers from mental illness and he was off his medication. Listen, you know, I overstand, okay? Mental health issues are serious and require compassion, but that doesn't excuse actions that endanger lives and threaten public safety. Okay? He can get all the help he needs in somebody's prison, okay? Because we have to make examples of people like this. I also feel like discrimination is a form of mental illness. To hate someone because of what their race is, their religion is, their gender is, their sexuality is. If you hate people because of what they are. You are mentally ill. And I don't want to see anyone being attacked or being the target of potential violence because of what they are, okay? Their race, their faith, their political party. Do we not understand that diversity is what truly makes America great? And by the way, if you don't like somebody's politics, well, get into politics yourself and challenge them, okay? Or support the politicians you like and help them defeat the politicians you don't. That's how things are done in a civilized country. But unfortunately, this country has always lied to itself about being civilized. Please give Cody Palmer of Harrisburg, Pennsylvania the biggest HE hug.

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[Charlamagne Tha God]

The best moments happen when you're with your people. Laughing, vibing, just enjoying life. Coke is making those moments even sweeter. Share a Coke is back and it's all about sharing with the whole crew. Doesn't matter if it's your bestie or bro. There's a can with their name on it. So grab one for the squad and make some memories. But hurry because these Coca Cola limited edition bottles and cans won't be here forever. Don't miss your chance to share a Coke with your favorite people.

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[Kevin Hart]

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[Steve Kerr]

On the new limited podcast series Dub Dynasty, we hear from head coach Steve Kerr on how Steph Curry almost never even joined the Warriors.

[Kevin Smith]

In fact, I thought we had a draft day deal to end up getting.

[Steve Kerr]

Him to Phoenix for the entire behind the scenes story of Golden State's incredible 10 year run. Listen to Dub Dynasty on the iHeartRadio app, Apple Podcasts or wherever you get your podcast.