Pennsylvania Gov. Josh Shapiro penned an op-ed for Wednesday’s edition of the New York Times where he described the frantic and frightening moments on April 13 as he and his family were awakened to the knowledge that an arsonist had set fire to the Governor’s Mansion in Harrisburg.

The governor had shared much of this information previously, but offered his opinions in one of the country’s most widely-read daily newspapers.

Shapiro described the damage to the residence, the smell of smoke throughout, and walking through the water-drenched floors. He recounted the destruction in the state dining room, where just hours earlier he and his family celebrated their Passover Seder, including damage to artwork that dated to the 1930s as well as the Shapiro’s seder plates and prayer books.

“As our kids woke up that morning after a traumatic night, Lori and I thought it was important to tell them honestly what we knew and what we didn’t,” he wrote. “I was focused on being a good dad, a good husband and a good governor — in that order.”

The governor defiantly stated that following morning that “nothing would deter me from doing my job — and nothing would deter me from practicing my faith openly and proudly.” He also said that he did not plan to interfere with the investigative work of the Pennsylvania State Police and other officials.

“I believe in the rule of law, and for the rule of law to work, prosecutors and law enforcement officials need to be able to do their jobs and investigate without fear, favor or political pressure. It is not my job to opine on what the motive was or what the charges should be.”

Shapiro, who shared that he has heard from President Donald Trump after the attack, said that this type of violence has “no place in our society, regardless of what motivates it. It doesn’t matter if it’s coming from one side or the other, directed at one party or another or one person or another.

“This level of violence has to stop. It is our shared responsibility to do better.”

The governor has had critical words for those who have used the attack as a reason to point fingers, including U.S. Rep. Dan Meuser (R-09), who said on a radio broadcast while “our hearts go out to the Shapiro family on this, but they gotta tone it down too. Every action Josh Shapiro has taken so far against the president has either been a lawsuit or a falsehood.”

At a press availability last Friday in Hershey, Shapiro responded, “He said that?,” and after a short pause, “I’ve said for years, leaders have a responsibility to speak and act with moral clarity, it would appear that the Congressman failed to measure up to that.”

In the op-ed, the former Keystone State Attorney General reiterated that phrase, writing “As elected leaders, we have an additional responsibility to speak and act with moral clarity. To not just call out what’s right and what’s wrong but also to do the hard work of bringing people together to find common ground in a world that’s constantly trying to divide us.”

Shapiro reaffirmed that the Governor’s Residence will continue to be open to the Commonwealth.

“This experience has made me more determined than ever to not only welcome people of all faiths back to the governor’s residence — where we’ve lit Christmas trees, held iftars and danced at a bar mitzvah — but also to do my part to address the political division and violence in America today.”

He concluded with a quote that has been used by numerous political figures, including President John F. Kennedy, reminding readers that “there is far more that binds us together than divides us — no matter what those who stoke that division would have us believe.

“I believe our political divide can be repaired. But our leaders must act with moral clarity and take their cues from the good people of this nation, who in times of tragedy always seem to find our better angels.”