An Illinois Democratic congressional candidate is under federal indictment after posting a video that appears to show her participation in an incident described by prosecutors as the obstruction of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents.
Kat Abughazaleh, 26, a self-described “Gen Z influencer,” has dismissed the charges as a “political prosecution.” She claims her actions were protected by the First Amendment rather than a violation of federal law.
“I have been charged in a federal indictment sought by the Department of Justice,” Abughazaleh wrote on X. “This political prosecution is an attack on all of our First Amendment rights. I’m not backing down, and we’re going to win.”
According to a federal indictment, the alleged events occurred during a Sept. 26 protest outside ICE’s Broadview Service Staging Area near Chicago. Prosecutors say Abughazaleh was among demonstrators who blocked a law enforcement vehicle, preventing it from moving forward. The crowd allegedly damaged the vehicle by scratching the word “PIG” into it and tearing off a mirror and windshield wiper.
The indictment claims that around 7:45 a.m., Abughazaleh “joined the crowd at the front of the Government Vehicle, and with her hands on the hood braced her body and hands against the vehicle while remaining directly in the path of the vehicle, hindering and impeding [an agent] from proceeding to the staging area.”
Video posted to social media appears to depict the same moment, showing Abughazaleh leaning against the front of a black SUV with flashing lights as others gather around.
Abughazaleh promotes herself as a progressive Democrat advocating for a wealth tax on the wealthy, a $25 minimum wage, and a fast-track path to citizenship for DREAMers and undocumented immigrants. Her campaign website also lists personal interests like knitting and gaming.
She has been an outspoken critic of the Trump administration’s immigration policies. In a recent televised interview with former White House press secretary Jen Psaki, Abughazaleh argued that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem “should be tried at The Hague,” referencing the International Criminal Court.
The indictment, unsealed Wednesday, charges Abughazaleh with two federal counts: conspiracy to prevent a law enforcement officer from performing his duties, and forcibly impeding, intimidating, or interfering with a federal officer. Five other participants in the protest were also charged, including Chicago Democratic committee person Michael Rabbitt and Cook County Board candidate Catherine Sharp.
Abughazaleh is running for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District seat, seeking to replace retiring Rep. Jan Schakowsky, 81, who has served in Congress since 1999.
