Trump Condemns Deadly Shooting of Israeli Embassy Staff in Washington, D.C. as ‘Antisemitic Hate’
Former President Donald Trump has responded to the deadly shooting that claimed the lives of two staff members from the Israeli embassy near a Jewish museum in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night, May 21.
Authorities say the victims, believed to be a young couple, were leaving the museum around 9:05 p.m. after an event when a gunman opened fire at close range, fatally wounding both.
The suspect has been identified as 30-year-old Elias Rodriguez of Chicago. According to Metropolitan Police Chief Pamela Smith, Rodriguez was seen pacing outside the museum before he opened fire on a group of four people, including the couple. Security personnel eventually intervened and detained him, but not before the tragic killings occurred.
PHOENIX, ARIZONA – DECEMBER 22: U.S. President-elect Donald Trump looks on during Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest at the Phoenix Convention Center on December 22, 2024 in Phoenix, Arizona. The annual four day conference geared toward energizing and connecting conservative youth hosts some of the country’s leading conservative politicians and activists. (Photo by Rebecca Noble/Getty Images)
Chief Smith stated that after his arrest, Rodriguez shouted “Free, free Palestine,” and confessed to the attack, later telling police where to find the discarded weapon.
Former President Trump denounced the shooting in a post on Truth Social, calling it “obviously based on antisemitism.”
“These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on antisemitism, must end, NOW!” Trump wrote. “Hatred and Radicalism have no place in the USA. Condolences to the families of the victims. So sad that such things as this can happen! God Bless You ALL!”
Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter confirmed that the victims were in a relationship and planning to get engaged. The male victim had reportedly purchased a ring just days earlier and was planning to propose during a trip to Jerusalem.
“They were a beautiful couple,” Leiter said.
Israeli President Isaac Herzog also weighed in, calling the shooting a “despicable act of hatred and antisemitism.”
“America and Israel will stand united in defense of our people and our shared values. Terror and hate will not break us,” Herzog wrote in a post on Twitter.
