Trump Condemns Shooting of Two Israeli Embassy Staff in D.C.

Two Israeli embassy employees have been killed in a capturing exterior the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday evening.

The victims have been named as Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, 26. The couple have been leaving an occasion hosted by the American Jewish Committee once they have been fatally shot. The Metropolitan Police Division (MPD) arrested Elias Rodriguez, a 31-year-old man from Chicago, on the scene. On Thursday, Rodriguez was charged with first-degree homicide and different crimes. Jeanine Pirro, the interim U.S. legal professional in Washington, D.C., referred to as it “a dying penalty-eligible case” throughout a press convention.

Witness Paige Siegel advised CNN that she heard Rodriguez say “I did it for Gaza” and “Free Palestine.”

In a press release shared by way of social media on Thursday morning, the Israel International Ministry mentioned: “We’re shocked and horrified this morning by the information of the brutal terrorist assault that claimed the lives of two of our Embassy employees members in Washington—Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim. Might their reminiscence be a blessing. We embrace the grieving households throughout this painful time and can proceed to help them all the time.”

In response to Yechiel Leiter, the Israeli ambassador to the U.S., the 2 victims have been a pair about to be engaged.

Learn Extra: The Rise of Antisemitism and Political Violence within the U.S.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned that he’s “heartbroken” for the households of the victims and that he has “instructed safety officers to strengthen safety preparations for Israeli missions all over the world, and to lift the extent of safety for all state envoys.”

President Donald Trump condemned the killings by way of a submit on TruthSocial and despatched his condolences to the households of the victims.

“These horrible D.C. killings, based mostly clearly on antisemitism, should finish, NOW!” he mentioned. “Hatred and radicalism don’t have any place within the USA.”

There continues to be an outpouring of condolences and reactions from U.S. and world politicians:

Secretary of State Marco Rubio

“We condemn within the strongest doable phrases the homicide of two employees members from the Embassy of Israel in Washington, D.C. Our prayers are with their family members,” Marco Rubio mentioned in a submit on X.

“This was a brazen act of cowardly, antisemitic violence. Make no mistake: we are going to observe down these accountable and convey them to justice.”

U.S. ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee

Mike Huckabee remarked upon the “horrific act of terror that the individuals of Israel are waking as much as this morning,” and mentioned he had been in touch with Lawyer Common Pam Bondi.

Mayor of Washington, D.C. Muriel Bowser

Muriel Bowser addressed the shootings in a press convention, sending her condolences to the households of the victims.

“There is no such thing as a lively risk in our neighborhood. What I do know is that the horrific incident goes to frighten lots of people… We is not going to tolerate this violence or this hate in our metropolis,” she mentioned.

Lawyer Common Pam Bondi

Pam Bondi mentioned in a press briefing after the capturing that authorities companies “will probably be doing every part in [their] energy to maintain all residents protected, particularly tonight, our Jewish neighborhood.”

“We’ll comply with the details, we are going to comply with the legislation, and this defendant charged will probably be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the legislation,” she added.

Former President Joe Biden

Joe Biden took to social media to share his condolences and denounce “antisemitic violence.”

“Jill and I are horrified and saddened by the lethal capturing exterior of the Capital Jewish Museum final evening that claimed the lives of two younger individuals, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim,” he mentioned. “Antisemitic violence and hate don’t have any place in our communities. We’re praying for Yaron and Sarah’s households and family members.”

Senate Minority Chief Chuck Schumer

Chuck Schumer mentioned in a press release on X that he was intently monitoring the capturing in D.C.

“This sickening capturing appears to be one other horrific occasion of antisemitism which as we all know is all too rampant in our society. I’m praying for many who have been killed, all these affected, and their households,” he mentioned.

Secretary of Homeland Safety Kristi Noem

Kristi Noem mentioned that the embassy employees have been “senselessly killed” and that authorities “are actively investigating and dealing to get extra info to share.”

Vowing to convey the individual accountable to justice, she added: “Please pray for the households of the victims. We’ll convey this wicked perpetrator to justice.”

Sen. Scott Wiener of California

In a TV interview with information channel Kron 4, State Sen. Scott Weiner, a Democrat, mentioned: “That is completely terrifying… I mourn these two people which have been murdered.” Wiener additionally mentioned that Jewish People face a excessive variety of hate and religious-based crimes within the U.S.

Sen. Andy Kim of New Jersey

In a press release on X, Sen. Andy Kim of the Democratic Celebration mentioned that the assault “have to be strongly condemned.”

“Having labored in diplomacy and in embassies overseas earlier than, I’m additional disgusted by the concentrating on of embassy personnel on American soil,” he mentioned. “My coronary heart goes out to the households of the victims, the Israeli embassy employees, the American Jewish Committee who hosted the occasion, and others who have been current.”

Sen. Chris Coons of Delaware

Sen. Chris Coon, a Democrat, mentioned that he was “horrified to listen to” in regards to the capturing.

“It is a disgusting act of antisemitic violence that advances no trigger however violence and destruction,” he mentioned.

Sen. Chris Van Hollen of Maryland

Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat, mentioned that he was “appalled by the vile assault.”

“It is a horrific act of violence and antisemitism and the perpetrator have to be dropped at justice,” he mentioned.

Sen. Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania

Republican Sen. Dave McCormick referred to as the “really horrific” assault “a disgusting act of antisemitic violence within the coronary heart of the nation’s capital.”

Home Minority Chief Hakeem Jeffries

In an official assertion, Hakeem Jeffries mentioned that he was horrified by the incident. “It’s clear that too lots of our Jewish brothers and sisters legitimately worry for his or her security on this nation merely because of their religion,” he mentioned. “America will stand firmly with the Jewish neighborhood throughout this nice hour of want.”

E.U. Excessive Consultant for International Affairs Kaja Kallas

Kaja Kallas mentioned she was “shocked” by the deadly capturing of the embassy officers. 

“There’s and ought to be no place in our societies for hatred, extremism, or antisemitism,” she mentioned. “I lengthen my condolences to the households of the victims and the individuals of Israel.”

Italy’s Minister of International affairs Antonio Tajani

Antonio Tajani mentioned in a press release on X: “I stand with the State of Israel for the tragic homicide of two younger staff of the Israeli embassy in Washington. Scenes of terror and violence to be strongly condemned.”

German Chancellor Friedrich Merz

Friedrich Merz mentioned that he was shocked by the incident, including that his ideas have been with the victims’ households. “At this stage we should assume an antisemitic motive. I condemn this heinous act within the strongest doable phrases,” he mentioned.

U.Ok. Prime Minister Keir Starmer

Sir Keir Starmer condemned the assault and reaffirmed his help for the Jewish neighborhood.

“Antisemitism is an evil we should stamp out wherever it seems,” he mentioned. “My ideas are with their colleagues, household and family members, and, as all the time, I stand in solidarity with the Jewish neighborhood.”