Illinois Senator Forced to Apologize After Simulated Murder of President Trump at His Fundraiser

Democratic state senator Martin Sandoval represents the city of Chicago.

By Shane Trejo

Illinois state senator Martin Sandoval was forced to apologize after a violent display occurred at his fundraiser where his supporters performed a brutal mock assassination of President Donald Trump.

A political fundraiser for @SenatorSandoval simulates an assassination attempt against a mock @realDonaldTrump deck… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…—
Mark Maxwell (@MarkMaxwellTV) August 17, 2019

The fundraiser took place at the Klein Creek Golf Club where donors donated at least $250 to Sandoval in order to attend. The photos were leaked over Facebook, and Sandoval is pictured posing with the man who held the fake weapon and conducted the mock assassination. It is unknown whether Sandoval was aware of the violent display that took place at his event.

“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.”

Top officials of the Democrat and Republican parties in Illinois are speaking out against the display as well.

“As our nation grapples with the epidemic of gun violence, purposely pointing a fake gun at anyone is insensitive and wrong,” Democrat Governor J.B. Pritzker said. “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,” said Maura Possley, who works as the spokesperson for Illinois Democrats. “These images are unacceptable and dangerous. The place to make our voices heard against Trump is at the ballot box.”

“The apology from Sen. Sandoval for the detestable pictures from his event depicting an assassination of President Trump is too little, too late,” Illinois GOP Chairman Tim Schneider said through a spokesman.