State Senator Martin Sandoval
By Michael Butler -
CHICAGO - Over the weekend, an Illinois state senator drew unexpected national attention for an incident photographed at his fundraiser.
A friend of state Senator Martin Sandoval (D-Chicago) shared a series of images on social media that showed a Sandoval donor pointing what appears to be a fake firearm at a person wearing a Mexican costume and a President Donald Trump mask.
Sandoval is a 16-year powerful state lawmaker and led the push to double the state's gasoline tax earlier this year. Event attendees donated a minimum of $250 to participate in Sandoval’s golf outing at Klein Creek Golf Club in Winfield on Friday.
The photos hit social media Saturday afternoon, via tweet from Mark Maxwell of CBS affiliate WCIA-3:
The mock assassination drew swift condemnation from Democrats and Republicans alike:
College Republicans of SIUE President Myles Nelson
“Illinois’ disgraceful State Senator Martin Sandoval held a fundraiser where attendees mock assassinated President Trump. We believe that all threats made towards elected officials, whether they be Democrat or Republican, very seriously and call on Senator Sandoval to resign. Call his office at (217) 782-5304 and respectfully demand his resignation. #ResignSandoval”
Gov. J B. Pritzker
“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.”
Sen. Sandoval issued an apology in an emailed statement on Sunday evening, more than 48 hours after the incident occurred.
State Senator Martin Sandoval
“The incident that took place is unacceptable,” he said. “I don’t condone violence toward the President or anyone else. I apologize that something like this happened at my event.”
Sandoval claimed that he was not aware of the images until he saw news reports, even though a woman who attended the event shared the images on social media and tagged Sandoval’s personal Facebook page. The woman also shared photos of the man who staged the mock assassination posing with Sandoval.
Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider
“The apology from Sen. Sandoval for the detestable pictures from his event depicting an assassination of President Trump is 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. 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.”
The images even caught the attention of Kellyanne Conway, Senior Advisor to President Donald J. Trump:
