Online users roundly criticized GOP state senator Doug Mastriano after he attacked Governor Josh Shapiro’s planned security spending. In April, Shapiro’s family survived a late-night arson attack at the governor’s Harrisburg residence; the accused later accepted a plea and was sentenced to 25–50 years. Spotlight PA reported the state will spend nearly $1.1 million on security upgrades at Shapiro’s private suburban home. A Community Note emphasized that state police recommended the upgrades and the State Ethics Commission approved the expenditure.
Online Backlash After GOP Senator Attacks Governor Over Security Spending Following Assassination Attempt
MAGA Republican state senator Doug Mastriano drew heavy online criticism after publicly attacking Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro for planned security spending — comments that many users noted ignored the fact that Shapiro and his family were the target of a violent attack earlier this year.
What Happened
In April, the governor’s official residence in Harrisburg was the scene of a late-night arson attack while Shapiro and his family were inside; no one was injured. The suspect in the case later accepted a plea deal and was sentenced in October to 25 to 50 years in prison.
New Spending Details
Documents obtained by Spotlight PA and summarized in a Dec. 5 report show that Pennsylvania plans to spend nearly $1.1 million in public funds on security upgrades at the governor’s private family home in the Philadelphia suburbs, roughly 100 miles from the state-owned residence that was attacked.
Mastriano's Post And Reaction
Mastriano criticized the planned expenditure on X, attaching an unusual AI-generated video to his post. His comments were quickly met with wide online rebuke: dozens of users pointed out that the upgrades followed a credible threat and that the tweet omitted key context.
Community Note: Social media appended a Community Note to Mastriano’s post clarifying that the security upgrades had been recommended by the Pennsylvania State Police and that the expenditure was approved by the State Ethics Commission.
Why It Mattered
Critics argued the senator’s post showed poor judgment in attacking security measures taken after an apparent assassination attempt on a sitting governor. Others used the discussion to push back against political opponents, but the dominant online response focused on the safety implications and the procedural approvals behind the spending.
Bottom line: The debate highlights tensions between partisan political commentary and public safety decisions that followed a serious criminal attack on a public official.
