A Chicago man’s alleged murder of two Israeli Embassy staffers has cast a harsh spotlight on a progressive congressman’s guest choice for President Trump’s Joint Address to Congress. Elias Rodriguez, charged with the brutal killings, is the son of Eric Rodriguez, invited by Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García to the high-profile event. The irony stings: a lawmaker’s gesture to honor a veteran now links to a tragedy.
Elias Rodriguez faces federal charges for the May 21, 2025, shooting deaths of Yaron Lischinsky, 28, and Sarah Milgrim, 26, outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. The victims, Israeli Embassy employees, were leaving an event when Elias allegedly fired nearly two dozen rounds. The couple, reportedly planning an engagement in Jerusalem, had no chance.
As Elias was arrested, he reportedly shouted “Free, free Palestine,” a chilling detail from court documents. Sarah Milgrim, wounded, tried to crawl away before succumbing, sources say. Such raw violence demands answers, not slogans.
Elias appeared in U.S. District Court on May 22, 2025, charged with two counts of first-degree murder among other offenses. The sheer brutality—two dozen shots—suggests premeditation, not a fleeting impulse. Yet, an anti-Israel group praised the act as “solidarity and love,” exposing the dangerous fringe some call allies.
Meanwhile, Eric Rodriguez, Elias’s father, was Rep. García’s guest at Trump’s March 2025 Joint Address. García lauded Eric as a veteran and VA employee who “represents the best of our community.” That praise now feels like a misstep, given the family tie to a heinous crime.
Eric, an Iraq War veteran, spoke in a Service Employees International Union video that same day, railing against changes to the VA system. “I’m concerned about what Donald Trump, Elon Musk and DOGE are doing to the VA,” he said. His activism earned him a congressional invite, but his son’s actions now overshadow it.
García’s spokesperson claimed ignorance, saying, “We don’t know his family.” That defense rings hollow when a simple background check might have raised red flags. Vetting matters, especially for a stage as public as a presidential address.
García himself condemned the shooting, stating, “I strongly condemn this horrible, senseless act of antisemitism.” He added, “My heart is with the victims and everyone impacted by the attack.” Condolences are necessary, but they don’t erase the optics of inviting the suspect’s father to a national event.
Eric’s presence at the address was meant to signal resistance to using “veterans and workers as political pawns,” per García. Yet, the congressman’s choice now risks being seen as a political fumble of its own. Actions, as they say, have consequences.
Eric Rodriguez proved elusive on May 22, 2025, as attempts to contact him failed. A worker at a shop near his Chicago home said Eric sought a translation of an Arabic-language article about his son’s crime that day. Silence from the father only fuels speculation.
The victims’ deaths have shaken many, with García noting, “We mourn the lives lost and reject the idea that justice can be won through violence.” Fine words, but they clash with the reality of an anti-Israel group cheering the murders. Progressive ideals shouldn’t blind anyone to such extremism.
Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim deserved better than to be gunned down in cold blood. Their love story, poised for a Jerusalem engagement, was cut short by an act of apparent hate. The nation mourns, but mourning alone won’t prevent the next tragedy.
García’s invitation to Eric Rodriguez was meant to highlight veterans’ and workers’ rights, a cause few dispute. But the congressman’s ties to progressive groups that flirt with radical rhetoric now face scrutiny. Guilt by association isn’t fair, but optics matter in politics.
The anti-Israel group’s praise for Elias’s actions underscores a broader issue: the left’s occasional tolerance of extremist voices under the guise of free speech. Condemning violence after the fact doesn’t absolve ignoring warning signs beforehand. It’s a tightrope, and García’s misstep shows how easily one can fall.
This tragedy—two lives lost, a father’s advocacy tainted, a lawmaker’s judgment questioned—demands reflection. Vetting guests for a presidential address isn’t just protocol; it’s a safeguard against unintended consequences. For Yaron, Sarah, and a grieving nation, let’s hope lessons are learned.
