Josh Shapiro: Trump warned me that being president is “very, very harmful” in “unusual dialog” after arson assault

President Trump cautioned Josh Shapiro about working for president, telling him the job is “very, very harmful,” the Pennsylvania governor mentioned in an interview with CBS Information.

Shapiro mentioned Trump known as him to test in with him per week after his residence was set on hearth final spring. The assault got here simply hours after his household celebrated the Jewish vacation of Passover.

Shapiro mentioned he initially despatched the president’s name to voicemail after seeing an unknown quantity. When he known as again, he was shocked to listen to Mr. Trump’s voice. 

“I did not suppose he was going to reply that line. I assumed it was not likely his quantity, and certain sufficient, he answered the telephone,” Shapiro recalled throughout an interview with CBS Information senior correspondent Norah O’Donnell for “CBS Sunday Morning,” airing this weekend.

Throughout the name, Mr. Trump mentioned his staff would offer any regulation enforcement help wanted to boost safety on the governor’s mansion. Shapiro had already spoken with FBI Director Kash Patel and Lawyer Basic Pam Bondi concerning the state’s investigation. [Cody Balmer, 38, later pleaded guilty to the attack, and was sentenced to 25 to 50 years in prison.]

“After which, I frankly anticipated the dialog to finish there only a couple minutes in. And he then went on to convey up a number of different matters,” Shapiro mentioned. One in all them was concerning the 2028 presidential race. Shapiro has not introduced plans for a 2028 presidential bid, and mentioned he instructed Mr. Trump on the time that he was “not seeking to run.”

Shapiro mentioned Mr. Trump cautioned him about pursuing a future presidential run. 

Mr. Trump then addressed the rise in political violence, Shapiro mentioned, referencing the 2024 assassination try in opposition to him throughout a marketing campaign rally in Butler. 

“And he mentioned, ‘You recognize, being president’s a extremely harmful job.’ And he rattled off different jobs which have a decrease fatality charge than presidents. And he mentioned, ‘It’s extremely, very harmful. Simply watch out,” Shapiro mentioned. “I mentioned, ‘Mr. President, I am not seeking to run for president.’ And he mentioned, ‘Effectively, I simply needed to share that with you.’ And so it was an odd dialog that bounced by a number of totally different matters. However look, I respect the truth that he known as.”

Shapiro shares extra about his profession in public service and his religion in his upcoming memoir, “The place We Hold the Gentle.” Watch his dialog with Norah O’Donnell on “CBS Sunday Morning” January 25.