3 weeks ago
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PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: A man opened fire outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., killing two Israeli Embassy staff members. The suspect has now been charged with murder.
👥 Who’s Involved: The suspect, Elias Rodriguez, 30, from Chicago, and the victims, Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, both Israeli Embassy employees.
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📍 Where & When: The shooting occurred near the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C., on Wednesday night.
💬 Key Quote: “This is a horrific crime, and these crimes are not going to be tolerated by me and my office.” — U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro.
⚠️ Impact: The attack is being investigated as a hate crime and an act of terrorism, with heightened security measures now in place around the area.
IN FULL:
A Chicago man has been charged with two counts of first-degree murder and other crimes following the fatal shooting of two Israeli Embassy staff members outside the Capital Jewish Museum in Washington, D.C. Elias Rodriguez, 30, is accused of targeting Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Lynn Milgrim, a young couple employed by the Israeli Embassy, as they left an event.
Authorities say Rodriguez approached a group of four people outside the museum before opening fire with a 9mm handgun, striking Lischinsky and Milgrim multiple times. According to charging documents, Rodriguez allegedly fired additional rounds at Milgrim after she attempted to sit up. Lischinsky was pronounced dead at the scene, while Milgrim succumbed to her injuries shortly after being transported by emergency services.
The shooting is being investigated as a hate crime and an act of terrorism. U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia Jeanine Pirro stated during a press briefing, “This is a horrific crime, and these crimes are not going to be tolerated by me and my office.”
Rodriguez, who allegedly declared his actions were “for Palestine” and “for Gaza,” was apprehended at the scene after surrendering to law enforcement. He reportedly purchased a ticket to the museum event hours before the attack and had flown to Washington, D.C., from Chicago on May 20 with the firearm in checked luggage.
Court documents indicate Rodriguez legally purchased the handgun in Illinois in March 2020. Investigators recovered 21 spent shell casings, a firearm magazine, and the gun used in the attack.
Rodriguez appeared in court on Thursday, where he was informed of the potential penalties if convicted, including life imprisonment or the death penalty. A preliminary hearing is scheduled for June 18, and Rodriguez remains in custody.
Last month, it was revealed that Rodriquez’s father was invited by Congressman Jesús ‘Chuy’ García (D-IL) to attend President Donald J. Trump‘s Congressional address on March 4. Eric Rodriguez was hailed as an “outspoken advocate against attacks on veterans’ services and the rights of unionized federal employees.”
PULSE POINTS:
❓What Happened: President Donald J. Trump warned of “very, very tough” sanctions on Russia and potentially Ukraine if peace talks fail or are obstructed.
👥 Who’s Involved: President Trump, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, Russian President Vladimir Putin, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
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📍 Where & When: Oval Office meeting, Washington D.C., Thursday morning.
💬 Key Quote: “When I see the moment when we’re not going to make a deal… we’ll be very, very tough. And it could be on both countries, to be honest, you know? It takes two to tango,” Trump said.
⚠️ Impact: Potential for expanded U.S. sanctions targeting Russian energy customers, including major nations like China, if peace efforts are derailed, and possibly sanctions on Ukraine, too.
IN FULL:
President Donald J. Trump has issued a stark warning to Russia and Ukraine over their ongoing conflict, saying “very, very tough” sanctions could be imposed on either nation if peace negotiations fail or are intentionally obstructed. The comments came during a meeting with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz in the Oval Office on Thursday morning.
Trump emphasized his commitment to facilitating peace, but cautioned that both sides could face consequences if talks collapse. “When I see the moment when we’re not going to make a deal, when this thing won’t stop, at that moment… we’ll be very, very tough. And it could be on both countries, to be honest, you know? It takes two to tango,” he said.
While stating his support for Ukraine, Trump also warned Kiev against taking an obstructive stance. He noted, “I’m with Ukraine, we just signed a big deal on rare earth with Ukraine. I’m for stopping killing, really.”
The President highlighted the deep animosity between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, likening the situation to a referee intervening in a heated fight. “There’s a great hatred between those two men,” Trump remarked.
Since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine, Western nations have imposed extensive sanctions on Moscow. However, these measures have had limited success in crippling the Russian economy, which has benefitted from sustained energy exports.
Trump proposed a new approach to sanctions, suggesting penalties on nations purchasing Russian energy, a strategy he referred to as “secondary sanctions.” Such measures could target major Russian energy customers, including China, in an effort to pressure Moscow into negotiating in good faith.
“If [a peace deal] doesn’t happen and if I see someone’s out of line, if Russia’s out of line, you’ll be amazed how tough [I will be],” Trump added, underscoring his readiness to act decisively if talks falter.
President Trump also expressed a willingness to sanction either country if they refuse to sign a 30-day ceasefire or violate any ceasefire agreement last month. Russia has previously accused Ukraine of violating ceasefire agreements, including one directed at halting attacks on infrastructure earlier this year, and vice versa.
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