Illinois state Sen. Martin Sandoval apologized after photos of a mock assassination of a man in a Trump costume at a recent fundraiser surfaced online.
Images posted to social media show a man pointing a fake machine gun at another man dressed as Trump in a mariachi suit. The photo was apparently taken at a fundraiser for Sandoval on Friday, WCIA reported.
The event, where tickets went for a minimum of $250, was held at Klein Creek Golf Club. A woman who attended the event posted the images to her Facebook page. Sandoval is pictured in another image posing with the man who held the fake weapon in the assassination photo, though it’s unclear if he was aware that incident had taken place.
“The incident that took place is unacceptable,” Sandoval said in a statement. “I don’t condone violence toward the President or anyone else. I apologize that something like this happened at my event.”
Dem governor condemns photos:
Illinois Democratic Gov. J. B. Pritzker issued a statement denouncing the images.
“As our nation grapples with the epidemic of gun violence, purposely pointing a fake gun at anyone is insensitive and wrong,” Pritzker said Saturday night. “I condemn actions like the ones displayed in the pictures because they lack the civility our politics demands.”
“The tragedies in El Paso and Gilroy have demonstrated how hate-filled political rhetoric can fuel violence,” Illinois Democratic Party spokeswoman Maura Possley added. “These images are unacceptable and dangerous. The place to make our voices heard against Trump is at the ballot box.”
Kellyanne calls for all Democrats to disavow the images:
Trump adviser Kellyanne Conway said all Democrats should be asked to disavow the images.
“Every Democrat should be asked if they support or disavow this,” she wrote on Twitter.
Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider said Sandoval’s apology was not enough.
“The apology from Sen. Sandoval for the detestable pictures from his event depicting an assassination of President Trump is too little, too late,” Schneider said. “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. 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.”
