Democratic candidate Katherine Abughazaleh indicted over ICE protest

A Democratic congressional candidate in Illinois has been indicted on federal expenses associated to an incident by which protesters allegedly attacked an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) car outdoors a Chicago suburb final month.

Katherine “Kat” Abughazaleh, 26, who has billed herself as a “Gen Z influencer” working for Congress in Illinois’ ninth District, is charged with conspiring to hinder or injure an ICE officer whereas on obligation in Broadview, Illinois, on September 26, in accordance with an indictment unsealed Wednesday.

Abughazaleh was anticipated to win the Democratic nomination to succeed Rep. Jan Schakowsky, D-Ailing., 81, who’s retiring.

5 different protesters have been additionally charged over Abughazaleh, together with certainly one of her associates and two different political candidates.

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The defendants embody Andre Martin, who’s described within the indictment as an affiliate who labored for or along with her; Michael Rabbit, a Democratic committee member in Chicago’s forty fifth Ward; Catherine Sharp, a candidate for the Prepare dinner County Board of Commissioners; and Brian Straw and Joselyn Walsh, who’re listed as residents of Illinois.

Democratic congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh holds a megaphone outdoors the Broadview ICE processing heart, September 26, 2025. (Reuters/Jim Vondruska)

In accordance with the indictment, a bunch of people surrounded a authorities car with the intent to impede or impede operations by aggressively hitting and pushing the car. The protesters allegedly etched derogatory messages, together with the phrase “PIG,” into the automotive, broke a aspect mirror and broken a rear windshield wiper.

The indictment additionally alleges that throughout the confrontation, Abughazaleh moved to the entrance of the federal government car, pressed her fingers towards the hood and used her physique to dam the street.

“Nobody is above the legislation, and nobody has the suitable to hinder it,” Deputy Lawyer Basic Todd Blanche mentioned in a press release Wednesday. “The Division of Justice won’t ever tolerate such habits and can proceed to carry accountable anybody who makes an attempt to impede lawful federal operations.”

“All federal officers should be capable to fulfill the duties of their workplace with out going through violence, intimidation or threats,” Andrew S. Boutros, United States Lawyer for the Northern District of Illinois, added in a press release Wednesday.

“As we have now repeatedly warned, we’ll search to carry accountable those that cross the road from peaceable protests to illegal actions or conspiracies that interrupt, hinder or impede the correct administration of justice.”

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Democratic congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh protests at an ICE processing heart, close to Chicago, on September 26, 2025. (Reuters/Jim Vondruska)

Abughazaleh responded to the allegations in a submit on Wednesday, claiming she is being focused for exercising her First Modification rights.

“This can be a political persecution and a gross try and silence dissent, a proper protected by the First Modification,” Abughazaleh mentioned. “This case is yet one more try by the Trump administration to criminalize protests and punish those that dare to talk out, which is why I’ll struggle these unjust expenses.”

The case has been assigned to U.S. District Decide April Perry, who can be presiding over a separate case involving President Donald Trump’s efforts to deploy the Nationwide Guard to Chicago. Perry had beforehand blocked the deployment of troops, saying there was no proof of a “hazard of revolt” within the state after the Trump administration requested an emergency keep.

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Protests on the ICE facility have not too long ago put Abughazaleh within the highlight, together with an incident final month by which an officer allegedly threw her to the bottom, a second that went viral on social media.

The “Gen Z influencer” is a former video producer on the liberal watchdog Media Issues for America, who has constructed a big TikTok following.

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The costs towards Abughazaleh come shortly after one other Democratic politician, Rep. LaMonica McIver DN.J., was charged with assaulting ICE brokers, underscoring an increase in instances involving political figures allegedly interfering with immigration enforcement.

Fox Information’ Brie Stimson contributed to this report.