Chicago City Wire

Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García (D-IL) is facing criticism for his association with Eric Rodriguez, the father of Elias Rodriguez—the man charged with murdering two Israeli Embassy staffers in Washington, D.C. on May 21. 

Eric Rodriguez, an SEIU union member and disabled Iraq War veteran working for the Department of Veterans Affairs, was García’s guest at President Donald Trump’s joint address to Congress in March. 

In response to the shooting, García’s office issued a statement to the New York Post attempting to distance the congressman from the suspect. 

U.S. Rep. Chuy García (D-Ill.) and Eric Rodriguez pose together during President Trump’s joint address to Congress. | Facebook / Congressman Chuy García

“Eric Rodriguez was our guest during the President’s Joint Speech to Congress, but we don’t know his family,” a spokesperson for García told the Post. 

The response to García’s involvement with the shooter’s father has continued to intensify. 

Facebook users have resurrected a post by García praising Eric. Commenters are using the space to question Garcia's judgement and association with the suspected shooter's father. 

In that social media post —intended to spotlight concerns over veterans' services—García described Rodriquez and others like him as “powerful reminders of the real harm Trump’s actions are inflicting on everyday Americans.” 

“Nice picture Garcia. Didn’t age well, did it,” David Johnson, said in response to García’s original Facebook post. 

“Guess this guy should of been more worried about his son instead of worrying about doge,” Jesse James added. 

“It’s the company you keep sir! You know him well enough to invite to DC, but don’t know his kids?? Sure!” Maureen Kenneally wrote.

“Are you honored now?” Tee Lee asked.

“The Father of the Killer with zero drop of human compassion in his blood,” added Janet Ocasio.

“As usual Unions are radical terrorist groups,” Damian Bunde wrote.

“IGNORANT democrat or owned by someone-P.O.S.,” Donnie McDow wrote.

He voiced his frustration over veterans’ services and the state of the VA system. 

“Veterans, we're under attack,” Eric Rodriguez said at the time. “They're slashing staff, crushing unions and selling out the VA, for what? So billionaires can make more money while veterans sit on wait lists, or worse, they'll get no treatment.” 

At the time of the March event, Eric Rodriguez delivered a tearful appeal alongside congressional Democrats.

“I’m here in D.C. because I’m deeply worried about what Donald Trump, Elon Musk, and others are doing to undermine the VA,” Rodriguez said in a video shared by SEIU the day of the event.

Just two months later, Eric Rodriguez’s son Elias Rodriguez was arrested and charged with the fatal shooting of Yaron Lischinsky, 28, and Sarah Milgrim, 26, outside the Capital Jewish Museum. 

Witnesses say Elias Rodrizguez shouted “Free, free Palestine” before opening fire with a semi-automatic handgun. He later pulled out a red keffiyeh and chanted “Intifada revolution” before being detained. 

Elias Rodriguez later entered the museum building appearing disoriented and asked bystanders to call the police. Witness Yoni Kalin described Elias Rodriguez as visibly shaken, initially receiving water and support from attendees before he pulled out a red keffiyeh and began chanting pro-Palestinian slogans, including “Intifada revolution.” 

Upon arrest, Elias Rodriguez led police to the weapon used in the attack. The incident is being treated as a hate crime.

Elias Rodriguez was an active Black Lives Matter protester and openly expressed support for Hamas online. 

His social media accounts revealed violent rhetoric, including posts advocating harm against political figures and praise for attacks on media outlets. 

He was previously linked to the far-left Party for Socialism and Liberation and participated in protests, including a 2017 Black Lives Matter demonstration in Chicago. 

BLM Chicago notably praised Hamas in the aftermath of the Oct. 7 attacks posting a graphic of a hang gliding militant, a nod to how many of the terrorists entered Israeli territory with the caption, “I stand with Palestine.”

Following his office's initial response to the shooting, García later issued an independent statement condemning the attack. 

“I strongly condemn this senseless act of antisemitism. We mourn the victims and reject violence in all its forms,” García’s statment reads.  

García is a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, along with U.S. Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-Mich.), who was censured by Congress for her rhetoric following the Oct. 7 attack, including her use of the phrase “from the river to the sea,” which is widely associated with calls for the elimination of Israel.

García did not vote to censure Tlaib for her comments, but fellow Illinois Democrat U.S. Rep. Brad Schneider did, noting “It is nothing else but the call for the destruction of Israel and murder of Jews.”

Independent journalist Ken Klippenstein published a 900-word manifesto authored by Elias Rodriguez that cites Gaza as the motive, on Substack. Federal investigators—who also visited Klippenstein after the manifesto’s publication—are currently reviewing the document and probing Elias Rodriguez’s online activity.

Neighbors in Elias Rodriguez’s Chicago apartment building described him as quiet but politically active, noting pro-Palestinian signage and a girlfriend who was notably absent in the weeks prior to the shooting, believed to be referenced in the manifesto.