The tragic shooting that left two Israeli Embassy staff members dead in Washington, D.C. has taken an unexpected political turn. Eric Rodriguez, father of the accused murderer, had once been a guest at President Donald Trump's joint address to Congress, an invitation extended by Democrat Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL). The elder Rodriguez, a union steward, Iraq War veteran, and VA hospital employee in Chicago, is associated with the Service Employees International Union (SEIU), known for its Democratic support.
This connection surfaced as investigations into the May 21st attack, which resulted in the death of two Israeli Embassy personnel outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., continue. The suspect, 31-year-old Elias Rodriguez, allegedly ambushed Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim after an event organized by the American Jewish Committee.
The suspect's father, Eric Rodriguez, who had criticized the Trump administration's policies on veterans and the VA system in an SEIU video, has not commented on his son's arrest. According to Fox News, requests for a statement have gone unanswered. Meanwhile, the accused, Elias Rodriguez, was arrested and charged with two counts of first-degree murder. If convicted, he could face the death penalty or a minimum of 30 years behind bars.
The FBI affidavit states that Elias traveled from Chicago to D.C. with a legally owned firearm. Surveillance footage reportedly captured the horrific scene as he fired upon the victims, reloaded, and continued his assault. During the arrest, Elias purportedly declared he acted "for Palestine" and "for Gaza," later shouting "Free Palestine" in a video recorded by a bystander.
The incident has sparked a broader conversation about security for Jewish communities, with the Israeli Embassy posting a tribute to the victims and emphasizing the gravity of the threat. Rep. García has publicly condemned the attack and attempted to distance himself from the suspect's family, affirming his office's ignorance of Rodriguez's relatives.
The political implications of the suspect's familial connections have fueled intense debate, as evidenced by the tweet from Resist the Mainstream, highlighting Eric Rodriguez's presence at a significant political event as a guest of a Democrat congressman.
