President Donald Trump reportedly offered a blunt warning about the dangers of national leadership during a private phone call with Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, following a shocking attack on the governor’s official residence last year.
According to Shapiro, Trump reached out after an arson incident at the Pennsylvania governor’s mansion in Harrisburg, checking on the governor’s safety and offering federal law-enforcement support if needed. During the call, Trump delivered a sobering message about the personal risks that come with holding the nation’s highest office.
“Being president is a very, very dangerous job,” Shapiro recalled Trump saying during the conversation.
The governor shared the details in a recent interview with CBS News, explaining that the call caught him by surprise. Shapiro initially sent the call to voicemail because the number appeared unfamiliar, but said he was stunned when he returned the call and found Trump on the line.
Shapiro said Trump emphasized that the presidency carries unique security threats and compared it to other professions with lower fatality risks. When the conversation turned toward future elections, Shapiro said he made clear he had no plans to run for president.
“I told him I wasn’t looking to run,” Shapiro said, adding that Trump responded by saying he simply wanted to share the warning.
The phone call followed a serious criminal attack on the governor’s mansion that occurred during Passover last April, just hours after Shapiro had hosted family and guests at the residence. Authorities later arrested Cody Balmer, who pleaded guilty to multiple felony charges related to the incident.
Balmer was ultimately sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison and ordered to pay $100,000 in restitution, according to court records cited by The New York Times. No injuries were reported in the incident.
The case renewed national concerns about political violence and the growing security challenges faced by public officials across the country. Leaders from both parties condemned the attack and emphasized the need for accountability.
Vice President JD Vance said at the time that he was thankful Shapiro and his family were unharmed, calling the attack “disgusting violence” and urging swift justice.
Shapiro later said the sentence sent an important message that political violence would not be tolerated, calling it “real accountability.”
Despite ongoing speculation about his national political future, Shapiro recently announced he will seek a second term as Pennsylvania governor. He has previously been mentioned alongside figures such as California Governor Gavin Newsom as a possible Democratic contender in future presidential races.
Balmer remains incarcerated as repairs and security improvements at the governor’s mansion have since been completed—serving as a stark reminder of the risks that now surround public service, and of President Trump’s warning to anyone considering the Oval Office.