Illinois Democratic senator Martin Sandoval apologizes for photo depicting mock assassination of Trump at fundraiser
A Democratic Illinois state senator has come under fire after images taken at one his fundraiser appears to show supporters staging a mock assassination of President Donald Trump.
Martin Sandoval, who represents Illinois' 11th District—which includes parts of Chicago—found himself the center of controversy after a woman who attended his golf outing at the Klein Creek Golf Club in west suburban Winfield shared the pictures on social media, according to WCIA.
The snaps show an attendee at the event pointing what appears to be a fake assault weapon at another person wearing a Mexican costume and a mask of Trump with exaggerated features.
In a separate picture, Sandoval can be seen posing with the man who held the weapon.
While it is unclear if the senator knew about the contentious photo op at the time, social media users have nevertheless attacked him for what they described as a "disgusting" and "unhinged" display.
"Illinois State Senator Martin Sandoval needs to be investigated by the FBI," one posted, while another wrote, "Disgusting! Illinois’ disgraceful State Senator Martin Sandoval held a fundraiser where attendees mock assassinated President Trump. Democrats are so unhinged and so violent, it makes us sick."
Others called for his resignation. "Beyond obscene. Illinois State Senator Martin Sandoval held a fundraiser where he and other Democrats "mock"- assassinated President Trump. Sandoval & any other elected officials who participated in this outrage must resign," read a tweet.
Maura Possley, a spokesperson for the Democratic Party of Illinois, called the images "unacceptable and dangerous."
"The tragedies in El Paso and Gilroy have demonstrated how hate-filled political rhetoric can fuel violence," she said. "These images are unacceptable and dangerous. The place to make our voices heard against Trump is at the ballot box."
Illinois Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker did not take too kindly to the antics either and slammed Sandoval in a scathing statement.
"As our nation grapples with the epidemic of gun violence, purposely pointing a fake gun at anyone is insensitive and wrong," he said. "I condemn actions like the ones displayed in the pictures because they lack the civility our politics demands."
Following the backlash, Sandoval, who was first elected as a state senator in 2003 and is now the Chairman of the Senate Transportation Committee, issued an apology.
"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."
But that little to appease the detractors, amongst whom was Illinois Republican Party Chairman Tim Schneider, who called on Sandoval to fire the person responsible for the photo op if they were one of his staffers of volunteers.
"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."