'Vile act of hate': Illinois congressman's Capitol Hill office vandalized on July Fourth

An Illinois politician was the victim of an act of vandalism carried out in his Capitol Hill office over the Fourth of July holiday, calling it a "vile act of hate."

Rep. Brad Schneider, an Illinois Democrat , called out the vandalism in a post on X Friday, writing that the posters of more than "100 people still held hostage in Gaza (including 8 Americans) were ripped from the wall, shredded and tossed across the hallway."

The act of vandalism would have been shameful if it had been carried out on any day, but it was especially shameful that it was carried out on "July 4, our country’s Independence Day," he wrote in the post.

"Sadly, it was but one of many hateful, un-American actions that took place across the country on the day we celebrate freedom and democracy."

Who is Brad Schneider?

Brad Schneider, 62, is a member of the U.S. representing Illinois' 10th Congressional District, according to Ballotpedia. Schneider has served Illinois since 2017 and is running for re-election in 2024.

Acts of vandalism 'don't call for peace,' U.S. rep says

Schneider said he has been especially "disgusted" by the videos and reports of individuals calling July 4th a 'terrorist holiday' and burning American flags."

Schneider also said acts of vandalism aren't just happening at his D.C. office, revealing in a separate post that his home was "targeted last weekend at 2:30AM by approximately 50 masked demonstrators banging drums, blowing horns and screaming antisemitic chants."

"The same groups that were at my house earlier in the week marched through Chicago on July 4th, not calling for peace, but rather condemning the United States of America," he said.

Direct Actions for Palestine, an Instagram page dedicated to "highlighting direct actions for Palestine happening in Chicago" have called for Schneider to support restoring U.S. funding for the U.N. agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) and ending the war, according to reporting by Reuters.

Protesters were criticizing Schneider's votes to defund UNRWA, according to the "Direct Actions for Palestine" Instagram page, Reuters reported. A clip showed the group protesting outside Schneider's home, captioning the post: "If we don't get no justice, then you don't get no sleep."

The U.S. Capitol Police Department said in a statement to Reuters that it was "aware and investigating," but was unable to provide any additional information.

Schneider's Office and the U.S. Capitol Police Department were not immediately available for comment on Friday.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: 'Vile act of hate': Illinois congressman's Capitol Hill office vandalized on July Fourth