When confronted by video evidence – which she posted to her social media accounts – relating to a recent federal indictment, a far left Media Matters former turned congressional candidate from a deeply blue Chicago district ended the interview abruptly.
Kat Abughazaleh was one of six individuals who were charged federally on October 29 for allegedly blocking a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement vehicle that attempted to enter a Broadview detention facility. Abughazaleh, along with other candidates running for an open seat in Chicago’s 9th Congressional District are regulars at the detention facility. The place has seen repeated incidents of unrest as well as attacks against federal agents.
In the indictment, Abughazaleh is accused of being part of a group which surrounded and stopped a black SUV that was driven by Agent A as it tried to enter the building. The footage uploaded on Abughazaleh’s X-page shows the group standing before the SUV and placing their hand on it. At that point, a mob of dozens rioters began to bang the windows to prevent the vehicle from moving.
Prosecutors claim that damage to the car included a broken side mirror, and the rear windshield wiper snapped. At least one rioter also allegedly inscribed “PIG” onto the body of the vehicle. Abughazaleh uploaded footage showing the group blocking the vehicle while chanting “Up, Up with Liberation, Down, Down with Deportation.” However, the vandalism wasn’t clearly shown in the video.
Along with Abughazaleh, Catherine Sharp, a Democratic Party nominee for Cook County Board of Commissioners 12th District, Michael Rabbitt a Democrat Committeeperson for Chicago’s 45th ward and three protestors were also indicted. In addition, the indictment states that “the group conspired with each other and other known and unknown” to commit a crime. This implies a large crowd participated in a planned action.
An ICE agent attempted to run dozens protesters down with an SUV while we were walking on a crosswalk.
He drove for a football field before ICE peppered us. pic.twitter.com/bGX7vh5o84
— Kat Abughazaleh (@KatAbughazaleh) September 26, 2025
Abughazaleh denied any wrongdoing in a statement made via video shortly after charges were filed. She also announced that she would plead innocent. In a video statement released shortly after the charges were announced, Abughazaleh denied wrongdoing and stated her intention to plead not guilty.
In an interview conducted by veteran journalist Tara Palmeri on Thursday, Abughazaleh answered questions about her charges, including whether or not she had participated in vandalism as outlined by the prosecutors. I’m not going to comment on the details of the indictment at this time. Like I said before, I plan to plead not guilty. The evidence will be presented in court. The “squad-aligned” candidate replied, “I plan to win.”
Palmeri played the video, which Abughazaleh had uploaded herself. It clearly showed her in front of the car. The candidate sat there without showing any emotion. Palmeri then asked, “What do you feel right now after seeing that video?”
Tara: “Tara, I’m indicted for the first time by federal authorities. As I stated, I intend to plead not guilty. Abughazaleh replied, “The evidence will be revealed in court and I intend to win,” before thanking Palmeri and ending abruptly the interview. She did not notice immediately, but asked another question and then expressed shock about the abrupt ending.
Did she leave the chat? Does she leave the chat just because? I’m so confused. I’m sorry,” Palmeri said.
Kat Abughazaleh, an indicted Illinois candidate for the Illinois House of Representatives, quits an interview when Tara Palmeri shows the video showing her thumping on the car hood and trying to block it. pic.twitter.com/hQwzFvc7BO
Greg Price 30 October 2025
Abughazaleh, along with her co-defendants, are each facing one charge of conspiring to injure or impede a federal officer or forcibly obstructing, intimidating, or interfering a federal officer. Both counts are felonies. Each count is punishable by up to 8 years of federal prison as well as fines that can reach $250,000.
