Interim U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro announced that her office is considering pursuing the death penalty against the man accused of murdering two Israeli embassy staffers in Washington, D.C. The suspect, 31-year-old Elias Rodriguez, allegedly carried out the attack on May 21 in front of the Capital Jewish Museum, shouting, “I did it for Palestine, I did it for Gaza,” before being taken into custody.
The victims, identified as Yaron Lischinsky and Sarah Milgrim, were killed in what officials are calling a targeted and politically motivated act of terrorism. Pirro labeled the attack both a hate crime and an act of domestic terrorism, adding that the Justice Department is treating the case with the highest level of seriousness.
“Violence against anyone based on their faith or nationality is a direct assault on American values and global diplomacy,” Pirro said. “This was an act of cowardice and hatred.”
Rodriguez is facing multiple federal charges, including the murder of foreign officials—an offense that qualifies for the death penalty under federal law. Pirro emphasized that while no final decision has been made, prosecutors are actively reviewing whether to seek capital punishment.
Legal analysts say the case is one of the most significant federal hate crime and terrorism prosecutions in recent years, especially given the geopolitical sensitivity surrounding the victims and the suspect’s alleged motive.
The preliminary court hearing is scheduled for June 18. Rodriguez is currently being held without bail.
This is Pirro’s first major case since taking over as interim U.S. Attorney for the District of Columbia. Known nationally for her media career and tough-on-crime stance, Pirro is now operating in a high-stakes legal environment. Early reactions from legal observers suggest that she is handling the role with gravity and focus, in contrast to her previously fiery television persona.
As the investigation continues, federal prosecutors will be weighing both the severity of the crime and its broader implications for national security and foreign relations. The decision on whether to seek the death penalty could come within the next several weeks, pending further legal review and consultations with the victims’ families.
This case is expected to set the tone for Pirro’s tenure and could shape the Justice Department’s approach to prosecuting acts of terrorism carried out on U.S. soil against foreign officials.