The father of the man accused of murdering two Israeli Embassy staffers outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., was previously recognized by a Democratic congressman during President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress in March, according to information obtained by The Post.
Rep. Jesús “Chuy” García (D-Ill.) had invited Eric Rodriguez, the father of accused gunman Elias Rodriguez, as his guest at the presidential address earlier this year.
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In a statement at the time, García described Eric Rodriguez as “an outspoken advocate against attacks on veterans’ services and the rights of unionized federal employees.”
“Eric represents the very best of our community — someone who has served his country, continues to serve his fellow veterans, and fights every day to protect the dignity of working people,” García said in March.
“His presence at the Joint Address is a powerful statement: we will not sit back while veterans and workers are treated as political pawns.”
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A spokesperson for Rep. García confirmed Rodriguez’s attendance at the event but stated, “Eric Rodriguez was our guest during the President’s Joint Speech to Congress, but we don’t know his family.”
On the same day as the address, Eric Rodriguez appeared in a Service Employees International Union (SEIU) video, identifying himself as a U.S. Army veteran and employee of the Department of Veterans Affairs.
In that video, Rodriguez expressed concern over the state of the VA under President Trump, referencing tech billionaire Elon Musk and the cryptocurrency DOGE.
“I’ve been with the VA for three years, and the reason why I’m in Washington, D.C., is because I’m concerned about what Donald Trump, Elon Musk and DOGE are doing to the VA system,” Rodriguez stated in the SEIU video.
On Thursday, federal authorities charged Elias Rodriguez, 31, with two counts of first-degree murder, among other charges, in connection with the fatal shooting of Israeli nationals Yaron Lischinsky, 28, and Sarah Milgrim, 26.
The couple, both staffers at the Israeli Embassy, had just left an event at the Capital Jewish Museum when they were gunned down.
Rodriguez allegedly fired nearly two dozen rounds at the pair before being taken into custody inside the museum.
Witnesses and police documents report that he shouted “Free, free Palestine” as he was apprehended.
Sources said Milgrim attempted to crawl away after being shot but collapsed at the scene. Lischinsky and Milgrim were reportedly planning to become engaged in Jerusalem in the near future.
Following the news of the attack, García issued a statement condemning the violence.
“I strongly condemn this horrible, senseless act of antisemitism. My heart is with the victims and everyone impacted by the attack,” the congressman posted on X.
“We mourn the lives lost and reject the idea that justice can be won through violence,” García added.
Attempts to reach Eric Rodriguez for comment on Thursday were unsuccessful.
A worker at a nearby store in Chicago confirmed that Eric Rodriguez had come in asking for help translating an Arabic-language article about the shooting and his son’s involvement.
Elias Rodriguez remains in custody as the investigation into the shooting continues. Authorities have not yet provided a motive or confirmed any organizational ties.
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