First Lady Melania Trump issued a public statement on May 22, 2025, using the historical Latin phrase “E Pluribus Unum” in response to the fatal shooting of two Israeli Embassy staff members outside a Jewish museum in Washington, D.C.
Israeli Embassy staffers Sarah Lynn Milgrim, 26, and Yaron Lischinsky, 30, were shot on the evening of May 21, 2025, as they left the Capital Jewish Museum in Northwest Washington, D.C., after attending an American Jewish Committee event focused on humanitarian efforts for Gaza.
The incident took place shortly after 9 p.m. when Elias Rodriguez, 31, from Chicago, Illinois, approached a group outside the museum and fired a handgun. He continued shooting even as a wounded Milgrim attempted to crawl away. Police Chief Pamela Smith stated that Rodriguez had been seen pacing outside the museum before the attack.
Following the shooting, Rodriguez entered the museum appearing distressed, with witnesses offering him water, unaware that he was the shooter. When police arrived around ten minutes later, he confessed to the crime, shouting “Free, free Palestine” during his arrest and displaying a red keffiyeh, according to eyewitness accounts.
President Donald Trump responded Thursday morning on his Truth Social platform, denouncing what he called antisemitic violence. He offered condolences to the victims’ families and stated that hatred and radicalism have no place in the United States.
Melania Trump’s statement, released Thursday afternoon on social media, started with “E Pluribus Unum,” which means “Out of many, one.” This motto was the traditional motto of the United States before “In God We Trust” was adopted in 1956. The Latin phrase was suggested by a committee on July 4, 1776, and officially adopted with the Great Seal by Congress in 1782.
The first lady’s message highlighted constitutional principles, emphasizing that tolerance, unity, and religious freedom are central to American governance. She urged Americans to reflect on their collective identity and future while committing to uphold individual dignity.
In her statement, Melania mentioned both victims by name, noting their deaths as a call for moral clarity and decisive action. She encouraged Americans to unite in grief and determination to confront hatred while upholding national ideals, ending with “We Are One.”
Federal prosecutors charged Rodriguez with multiple felonies, including two counts of first-degree murder, murder of foreign officials, causing death with a firearm, and discharging a firearm during a violent crime. Interim U.S. Attorney Jeanine Pirro indicated that more charges might be forthcoming as the investigation continues, treating the case as both a hate crime and an act of terrorism.
The victims met at the embassy in late 2023, and Lischinsky was planning to ask Milgrim to marry him during an upcoming trip to Israel. Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter disclosed that Lischinsky had bought an engagement ring earlier that week, intending to propose to Milgrim in Jerusalem.
Lischinsky, a German-born Israeli citizen, worked as a research assistant in the embassy’s political department, while Milgrim, from Overland Park, Kansas, organized missions and visits to Israel. Colleagues described both as passionate about peace-building and fostering people-to-people relations.
The American Jewish Committee event they attended aimed to bring together multi-faith organizations for humanitarian aid to conflict zones, including Gaza. The reception was attended by about 50 young diplomats and foreign policy professionals.
Melania has kept a low public profile since her husband’s second inauguration in January 2025, with rare appearances at the White House. However, she made several public appearances this week, including a speech in the White House Rose Garden supporting the “TAKE IT DOWN” bill, aimed at combating AI-generated deepfakes.
On May 21, the first lady also spoke at the Senate Spouses Luncheon at the National Gallery of Art in Washington, D.C., highlighting her BE BEST platform and reaffirming her commitment to the Fostering the Future initiative, aimed at improving children’s lives.
The shooting led Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to order increased security at Israeli diplomatic missions globally. Security experts described the attack as appearing well-planned, with the gunman staking out the location and waiting for victims to emerge.
