Democratic Rep. Jesus “Chuy” García of Illinois faces scrutiny after it was revealed he honored the father of Elias Rodriguez, who stands accused of murdering two Israeli embassy workers near Washington’s Capital Jewish Museum.
At a Glance
- Rep. García previously honored Eric Rodriguez, father of murder suspect Elias Rodriguez, as a “model public servant” during the President’s Joint Speech to Congress
- Elias Rodriguez is charged with two counts of first-degree murder for killing Israeli embassy workers Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim
- The suspect reportedly shouted pro-Palestinian slogans during his arrest and authorities are reviewing an anti-Israel manifesto linked to him
- Over 50 House Republicans introduced a resolution condemning the murders as antisemitic terrorism, but no Democrats signed on
- The victims were about to get engaged, with Lischinsky having purchased a ring for a proposal planned in Jerusalem
Congressional Honor Raises Questions
Eric Rodriguez, a veteran and union activist employed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, was recently honored by Democratic Rep. Jesus “Chuy” García of Illinois during the President’s Joint Address to Congress. García praised Rodriguez as “someone who has served his country, continues to serve his fellow veterans and fights every day to protect the dignity of working people.” This recognition has come under scrutiny following the arrest of Rodriguez’s son, Elias, for the murder of two Israeli embassy staffers.
García’s office has since distanced itself from any connection to Elias Rodriguez, with a representative stating, “Eric Rodriguez was our guest during the President’s Joint Speech to Congress, but we don’t know his family.” Following the murders, García issued a statement saying, “I strongly condemn this senseless act of antisemitism. We mourn the victims and reject violence in all its forms.”
Details of the Deadly Attack
The shooting occurred near the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., where Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim were killed after leaving the facility. Video footage reportedly shows the victims being approached from behind before they were shot. Elias Rodriguez has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and allegedly shouted pro-Palestinian slogans during his arrest, leading investigators to treat the case as a hate crime with potential terrorism implications.
“This wasn’t just a tragedy, it was a targeted act of antisemitic terrorism carried out by a radical leftist,” said Rep. Addison McDowell, who introduced a resolution condemning the murders.
Authorities are reviewing what appears to be a manifesto linked to Elias containing anti-Israel rhetoric. The suspect was reportedly affiliated with the Party for Socialism and Liberation, an organization alleged to have connections to Chinese Communist Party funding according to some Republican lawmakers.
Congressional Response Divides Along Party Lines
More than 50 House Republicans have signed onto a resolution condemning the murders as antisemitic terrorism. The resolution, introduced by Rep. McDowell, aims to officially denounce growing antisemitism while honoring the lives of Milgrim and Lischinsky. Notably, no Democrats have signed the resolution so far, highlighting the partisan divide in addressing the attack.
“I want Congress to be on the record that it’s not just that antisemitism is evil, but also that the killer was part of an evil movement that seems to be growing in our country. We can’t paper over that. We need to address it head on,” said Rep. McDowell in explaining the purpose behind the resolution.
Some conservative commentators, including Douglas Murray in a New York Post column, have linked Elias Rodriguez’s actions to extreme leftist rhetoric and what they describe as misinformation about Israel. Critics argue that distorted perspectives on Israel’s military actions may have contributed to the violence.
The Victims: A Love Story Cut Short
Sarah Milgrim was an American citizen working full-time at the Israeli embassy’s Department of Public Diplomacy with a background in peacebuilding. Yaron Lischinsky was a German-Israeli dual citizen, described as a devout evangelical Christian who had served in the Israel Defense Forces. According to Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter, the couple was about to get engaged.
The bodies of Milgrim and Lischinsky are to be buried in Israel, with their families requesting privacy during this difficult time. The Israeli embassy and Jewish community groups across the United States have expressed shock and sorrow over the murders, which come amid rising concerns about antisemitism nationwide.
