Trump condemns killing of two israeli embassy staff in d. C.

Two Israeli embassy staff were killed in a shooting outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. on Wednesday night. The victims have been named as Yaron Lischinsky, 30, and Sarah

Lynn Milgrim, 26. The couple were leaving an event hosted by the American Jewish Committee when they were fatally shot. The Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) arrested Elias Rodriguez, a

31-year-old man from Chicago, at the scene. On Thursday, Rodriguez was charged with first-degree murder and other crimes. Jeanine Pirro, the interim U.S. attorney in Washington, D.C., called

it “a death penalty-eligible case” during a press conference. Advertisement Advertisement Witness Paige Siegel told CNN that she heard Rodriguez say “I did it for Gaza” and “Free

Palestine.” In a statement shared via social media on Thursday morning, the Israel Foreign Ministry said: “We are shocked and horrified this morning by the news of the brutal terrorist

attack that claimed the lives of two of our Embassy staff members in Washington—Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim. May their memory be a blessing. We embrace the grieving families

during this painful time and will continue to support them always.” According to Yechiel Leiter, the Israeli ambassador to the U.S., the two victims were a couple about to be engaged. READ

MORE: _The Rise of Antisemitism and Political Violence in the U.S._ Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that he is "heartbroken" for the families of the victims and that

he has "instructed security officials to strengthen protection arrangements for Israeli missions around the world, and to raise the level of security for all state envoys."

President Donald Trump condemned the killings via a post on TruthSocial and sent his condolences to the families of the victims. “These horrible D.C. killings, based obviously on

antisemitism, must end, NOW!” he said. “Hatred and radicalism have no place in the USA.” There continues to be an outpouring of condolences and reactions from U.S. and global politicians:

SECRETARY OF STATE MARCO RUBIO "We condemn in the strongest possible terms the murder of two staff members from the Embassy of Israel in Washington, D.C. Our prayers are with their

loved ones," Marco Rubio said in a post on X. “This was a brazen act of cowardly, antisemitic violence. Make no mistake: we will track down those responsible and bring them to justice.”

U.S. AMBASSADOR TO ISRAEL MIKE HUCKABEE Mike Huckabee remarked upon the "horrific act of terror that the people of Israel are waking up to this morning," and said he had been in

contact with Attorney General Pam Bondi. MAYOR OF WASHINGTON, D.C. MURIEL BOWSER Muriel Bowser addressed the shootings in a press conference, sending her condolences to the families of the

victims. “There is no active threat in our community. What I do know is that the horrific incident is going to frighten a lot of people... We will not tolerate this violence or this hate in

our city,” she said. ATTORNEY GENERAL PAM BONDI Pam Bondi said in a press briefing after the shooting that government agencies “will be doing everything in [their] power to keep all citizens

safe, especially tonight, our Jewish community.” “We will follow the facts, we will follow the law, and this defendant charged will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law,” 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

deadly shooting outside of the Capital Jewish Museum last night that claimed the lives of two young people, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim," he said. "Antisemitic violence and

hate have no place in our communities. We are praying for Yaron and Sarah’s families and loved ones." SENATE MINORITY LEADER CHUCK SCHUMER Chuck Schumer said in a statement on X that he

was closely monitoring the shooting in D.C. “This sickening shooting seems to be another horrific instance of antisemitism which as we know is all too rampant in our society. I’m praying

for those who were killed, all those affected, and their families,” he said. SECRETARY OF HOMELAND SECURITY KRISTI NOEM Kristi Noem said that the embassy staff were “senselessly killed” and

that authorities “are actively investigating and working to get more information to share.” Vowing to bring the person responsible to justice, she added: “Please pray for the families of the

victims. We will bring this depraved perpetrator to justice.” SEN. SCOTT WIENER OF CALIFORNIA In a TV interview with news channel Kron 4, State Sen. Scott Weiner, a Democrat, said: “This is

absolutely terrifying… I mourn these two individuals that have been murdered.” Wiener also said that Jewish Americans face a high number of hate and religious-based crimes in the U.S. SEN.

ANDY KIM OF NEW JERSEY In a statement on X, Sen. Andy Kim of the Democratic Party said that the attack “must be strongly condemned.” “Having worked in diplomacy and in embassies abroad

before, I am further disgusted by the targeting of embassy personnel on American soil,” he said. “My heart goes out to the families of the victims, the Israeli embassy staff, the American

Jewish Committee who hosted the event, and others who were present.” SEN. CHRIS COONS OF DELAWARE Sen. Chris Coon, a Democrat, said that he was “horrified to hear” about the shooting. “This

is a disgusting act of antisemitic violence that advances no cause but violence and destruction,” he said. SEN. CHRIS VAN HOLLEN OF MARYLAND Sen. Chris Van Hollen, a Democrat, said that he

was “appalled by the vile attack.” “This is a horrific act of violence and antisemitism and the perpetrator must be brought to justice,” he said. SEN. DAVE MCCORMICK OF PENNSYLVANIA

Republican Sen. Dave McCormick called the “truly horrific” attack “a disgusting act of antisemitic violence in the heart of the nation’s capital.” HOUSE MINORITY LEADER HAKEEM JEFFRIES In an

official statement, Hakeem Jeffries said that he was horrified by the incident. “It is clear that too many of our Jewish brothers and sisters legitimately fear for their safety in this

country simply as a result of their faith,” he said. “America will stand firmly with the Jewish community during this great hour of need.” E.U. HIGH REPRESENTATIVE FOR FOREIGN AFFAIRS KAJA

KALLAS Kaja Kallas said she was “shocked” by the fatal shooting of the embassy officials.  “There is and should be no place in our societies for hatred, extremism, or antisemitism,” she

said. “I extend my condolences to the families of the victims and the people of Israel.” ITALY’S MINISTER OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS ANTONIO TAJANI Antonio Tajani said in a statement on X: “I stand

with the State of Israel for the tragic murder of two young employees of the Israeli embassy in Washington. Scenes of terror and violence to be strongly condemned.” GERMAN CHANCELLOR

FRIEDRICH MERZ Friedrich Merz said that he was shocked by the incident, adding that his thoughts were with the victims' families. “At this stage we must assume an antisemitic motive. I

condemn this heinous act in the strongest possible terms,” he said. U.K. PRIME MINISTER KEIR STARMER Sir Keir Starmer condemned the attack and reaffirmed his support for the Jewish

community. “Antisemitism is an evil we must stamp out wherever it appears,” he said. “My thoughts are with their colleagues, family and loved ones, and, as always, I stand in solidarity with

the Jewish community.” FRANCE’S FOREIGN AFFAIRS MINISTER JEAN-NOËL BARROT Jean-Noël Barrot called the shootings “an abhorrent act of antisemitic barbarity” and said that “nothing can

justify such violence.” IRISH TAOISEACH MICHEÁL MARTIN Ireland’s Taoiseach (Prime Minister) Micheál Martin “strongly condemned” the attack. “My deepest sympathies go to the family and

friends of the couple, and the Israeli people,” he said via social media. “There can be absolutely no place for violence or hate.”