Dupage Policy Journal

Jeanne Ives, a former state legislator and founder of Breakthrough Ideas, has called on Rep. Jesús "Chuy" García to investigate the radicalization of Elias Rodriguez, the suspect in a recent Washington, D.C., shooting. Ives pointed out that García, a Democrat, had previously invited Rodriguez’s father to President Trump’s joint address to Congress.

"Will Chuy investigate how the killer got radicalized since he is chummy with the father," said Jeanne M Ives. "Or will he continue to be silent as his party lets Dem groups spew hate speech?"

According to García's spokesperson, Eric Rodriguez attended the president’s joint address to Congress but said that García did not know the family personally. This was reported in an article shared by Ives on her post on X. In March, García described Eric Rodriguez as someone who "represents the very best in our community," highlighting his role as a veteran advocating for veterans’ services and unionized federal employees. Elias Rodriguez is accused of killing Yarin Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim on May 21 at the Capital Jewish Museum.

Screenshot of Jeanne Ives' May 23 post on X | X

García condemned the attack on Lischinsky and Milgrim in a post on X the night of the incident. "I strongly condemn this horrible, senseless act of antisemitism. My heart is with the victims, and everyone impacted by the attack. We mourn the lives lost and reject the idea that justice can be won through violence," he wrote.

Elias Rodriguez faces charges including murder of foreign officials, two counts of first-degree murder, and multiple firearms-related offenses, according to Fox News. He could face the death penalty for the foreign official murder charge and faces a minimum of 30 years to life in prison for first-degree murder counts if convicted under Washington, D.C., law. A court affidavit indicates surveillance footage showed a suspect with a large backpack approaching Lischinsky and Milgrim from behind before opening fire without provocation.

Jeanne Ives is noted for her six-year tenure representing Illinois House District 42 and her candidacies for governor in 2018 and Illinois’ 6th Congressional District in 2020.