Dem Lawmaker Apologizes After Mock Trump Assassination at Political Fundraiser

Ferlon Webster Jr. | August 20, 2019
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An Illinois state lawmaker apologized after photos surfaced of someone performing a mock assassination of President Trump at one of his political fundraisers.

The incident took place at Democratic state Sen. Martin Sandoval’s golf event at the Klein Creek Golf Club in Winfield. The photo shows an attendee pointing what looks like a fake gun at someone wearing a Trump mask while the person holds their hands over their heart pretending to suffer from a wound. 

As WCIA-TV reports:

A woman who attended the event posted the photos to her Facebook page on Saturday and tagged Sandoval in them. Sandoval is pictured separately posing with the man who held the fake weapon, but it remains unclear if the Senator knew about the incident when it occurred.

Sandoval apologized via email, according to the outlet.

“The incident that took place is unacceptable,” the state senator said. “I don’t condone violence toward the President or anyone else. I apologize that something like this happened at my event.”

Even with the apology, politicians voiced their disapproval of the actions that took place. 

“As our nation grapples with the epidemic of gun violence, purposely pointing a fake gun at anyone is insensitive and wrong,” Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) said Saturday night. “I condemn actions like the ones displayed in the pictures because they lack the civility our politics demands.”

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider called the timing of the apology, “too little, too late.”

“Dangerous imagery like this will be condemned and seen as inappropriate by people of sound mind; however, a mentally unstable individual who wants to harm President Trump might find them as an inspiration,” Schneider said via a spokesman. “It’s inexcusable for an elected official to allow the promotion of violence in any way. If the individual pictured is a staffer or volunteer, they should be terminated immediately.”

Kellyanne Conway made her voice heard as well.

 

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