Late Thursday afternoon, First Lady Melania Trump addressed the tragic shooting that claimed the lives of two staff members from the Israeli Embassy in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night, an act allegedly perpetrated by a pro-Palestinian activist.
The victims, 30-year-old Yaron Lischinsky and his fiancée, 26-year-old Sarah Milgrim, were shot as they exited an event at the Capital Jewish Museum. Eyewitnesses reported that the assailant shouted “Free, free Palestine!” while brandishing a red keffiyeh before he was apprehended just moments later. The suspected shooter, 31-year-old Elias Rodriguez, is facing federal charges for first-degree murder along with several other felonies related to the shooting.
In her statement, the First Lady called for national unity, invoking the cherished motto of the United States.
E Pluribus Unum: Out of Many, One.
At the heart of our Constitution lie the principles of tolerance, unity, and religious freedom. Today, I urge every American to reflect on our shared identity and navigate our collective future. Let us be unwavering in our commitment to honoring the dignity of every individual.
The heartbreaking murders of Sarah Lynn Milgrim and Yaron Lischinsky in our nation’s capital remind us of the urgent need for moral clarity and decisive action. Together, we must confront hatred and uphold the ideals that define our nation.
We. Are. One.
First Lady Melania Trump
— First Lady Melania Trump (@FLOTUS) May 22, 2025
According to eyewitness accounts, in addition to chanting “Free, free Palestine,” the alleged gunman proclaimed, “There is only one solution, Intifada revolution.” This rhetoric echoes sentiments often heard at leftist protests on college campuses, particularly in the wake of the significant October 7, 2023, attacks by Hamas on Israel.
Witnesses reported that Elias Rodriguez confessed to the double homicide, with another stating that the victims were executed from behind. pic.twitter.com/3jqUpARmnp
— Marina Medvin (@MarinaMedvin) May 22, 2025
Rodriguez was previously affiliated with the Chicago chapter of the Party for Socialism and Liberation (PSL) back in 2017.
Elias Rodriguez is a reported member of the Party for Socialism and Liberation, seen here holding a Marxist @answercoalition sign at a Chicago protest. I’ve been warning about these groups since 10/7, as data indicates they are forming troubling alliances with extremist factions. pic.twitter.com/fSySnE9XN6
— Asra Nomani (@AsraNomani) May 22, 2025
In response to these events, the PSL issued a statement distancing itself from Rodriguez, asserting that “we reject any attempt to associate the PSL with the D.C. shooting. Elias Rodriguez is not a current member of the PSL. His brief association with one branch ended in 2017, and we have had no contact with him for over seven years. We unequivocally condemn this shooting and do not support it.”
We reject any attempt to associate the PSL with the DC shooting. Elias Rodriguez is not a member of the PSL. He had a brief association with one branch of the PSL that ended in 2017. We know of no contact with him in over 7 years. We have nothing to do with this shooting and do…
— Party for Socialism and Liberation (@pslnational) May 22, 2025
