A Chicago man’s alleged murderous rampage casts a shadow over a Democrat congressman’s guest list. Elias Rodriguez, charged with gunning down two Israeli Embassy employees, is the son of Eric Rodriguez, who was invited by Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García to President Trump’s joint address to Congress, as the New York Post reports. The irony stings: a left-wing lawmaker’s symbolic gesture is now tied to tragedy.
Elias Rodriguez faces two counts of first-degree murder for killing Yaron Lischinsky, 28, and Sarah Milgrim, 26, outside the Capital Jewish Museum. The couple, reportedly on the cusp of engagement in Jerusalem, was ambushed after leaving an event. Rodriguez allegedly fired nearly two dozen rounds, shouting “Free, free Palestine” as police apprehended him.
The shooting unfolded Thursday in a brazen attack. Lischinsky and Milgrim, both Israeli Embassy workers, had no chance to escape the hail of bullets. Milgrim, collapsing, tried crawling away, a haunting image of desperation.
Elias Rodriguez, from Chicago, now sits in federal custody. His motives remain under scrutiny, but his reported chant suggests a political undercurrent. The progressive playbook often winks at such rhetoric -- until it turns deadly.
Eric Rodriguez, the suspect’s father, is an Iraq War veteran and Department of Veterans Affairs employee. He was García’s guest at Trump’s March address, a move meant to signal veteran advocacy. Instead, it’s now a footnote in a grim saga.
García’s office distanced itself, claiming, “We don’t know his family.” That’s convenient, but inviting Eric Rodriguez was no accident. The congressman’s team handpicked him to score political points.
In March, García praised Eric Rodriguez as a model citizen. “Eric represents the very best of our community,” he said, touting his service and union ties. Now, that glowing endorsement feels like a misfire.
Eric Rodriguez appeared in a Service Employees International Union video the same day. “I’m concerned about what Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and DOGE are doing to the VA system,” he said. Funny how the left’s heroes often come with baggage.
Attempts to reach Eric Rodriguez on Thursday failed. A shop worker near his Chicago home said he sought a translation of an Arabic article about his son’s alleged crimes. Actions have consequences, and silence speaks volumes.
García condemned the attack on X, calling it a “horrible, senseless act of antisemitism.” He added, “We mourn the lives lost and reject the idea that justice can be won through violence.” Noble words, but they ring hollow when progressive policies often fan the flames.
The victims’ deaths highlight a broader issue: unchecked anti-Israel sentiment. Lischinsky and Milgrim weren’t just embassy workers; they were young people with futures stolen. The left’s flirtation with “Free Palestine” slogans isn’t so charming now.
Elias Rodriguez’s alleged actions don’t exist in a vacuum. When lawmakers like García amplify divisive causes, they share the stage with the fallout. Accountability isn’t just for the shooter.
García’s March statement framed Eric Rodriguez as a veteran fighting for workers’ dignity. “His presence at the Joint Address is a powerful statement,” García claimed. That “powerful statement” now feels like a cruel irony.
The Capital Jewish Museum, meant to celebrate heritage, became a crime scene. Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim deserved better than to be collateral in a political stunt gone wrong. Their loss demands more than X posts.
This tragedy underscores a truth: symbolism doesn’t erase reality. García’s guest may have been a veteran, but his son’s alleged crimes expose the risks of performative politics. The left might rethink its guest lists -- or at least its priorities.
