A progressive Democratic hopeful might find herself behind bars before even stepping onto the congressional stage.
Kat Abughazaleh, who previously worked as a journalist for Media Matters and is campaigning to represent Illinois’ 9th District in the U.S. House of Representatives, has been charged by the Department of Justice with allegedly assaulting an ICE officer.
Abughazaleh faces two charges: conspiracy to impede or injure an ICE officer, and assaulting or obstructing the officer while he was performing his duties.
The indictment, submitted on October 23, claims that Abughazaleh, alongside five others, attacked an ICE agent’s vehicle by forcefully striking its sides, back windows, and hood.
She is also accused of obstructing the vehicle’s progress and scratching the word “PIG” onto the officer’s car.
If convicted, Abughazaleh could be sentenced to up to six years in prison for the conspiracy charge and an additional eight years for the assault on the ICE agent.
Footage, previously reported by the Daily Mail, shows Abughazaleh, 26, gathering with protesters outside Broadview ICE detention center in Chicago.
An agent, at one point, confronts Abughazaleh for blocking the driveway of the facility and drags her back before tossing to the pavement.
Democratic House candidate Kat Abughazaleh has been indicted by Trump’s Justice Department after protesting ICE officials in Chicago
If convicted, Abughazaleh could face nearly a decade behind bars for assaulting an ICE officer
Footage on September 19th, shows an ICE officer throwing Abughazaleh to the ground for blocking the driveway outside Broadview ICE detention center in Chicago
More footage from September 26 features Abughazaleh bracing her body against an ICE vehicle along dozens of more protesters.
The Palestinian liberal responded to the indictment on social media by accusing the Trump administration of political persecution.
‘This is a political prosecution and a gross attempt to silence dissent, a right protected under the First Amendment,’ Abughazaleh told her followers on X.
‘This case is a major push by the Trump administration to criminalize protest and punish anyone who speaks out against them.’
Abughazaleh announced her candidacy to replace outgoing Democratic Rep. Jan Schakowsky. The Democratic primary election will be held on March 17, 2026, followed by the general election on Nov. 3, 2026.
‘I’m not backing down, and we’re going to win,’ Abughazaleh added.
As the Trump administration has scaled up its efforts to enforce the president’s mass deportation agenda in the Chicago area, activist groups have responded by camping outside ICE detainment areas with hundreds of protesters.
GOP politicians and influencers online have demanded federal authorities crackdown on protesters they claim are interfering with immigration enforcement.
Abughazaleh, 26, is a former journalist for Media Matters and Mother Jones
Abughazaleh is an outspoken progressive candidate running to replace a retiring Democratic lawmaker
More footage from September 26 features Abughazaleh bracing her body against an ICE vehicle along dozens of more protesters
Conservative X users celebrated her indictment on Wednesday by calling for her to be thrown in prison.
‘LOCK HER UP AND THROW AWAY THE KEY!’ wrote Matt Gaetz producer Vish Burra.
Meanwhile, conservative legal expert Will Chamberlain praised the DOJ attorney responsible for charging Abughazaleh.
‘Cheers to US Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Andrew Boutros, who brought this righteous prosecution, sending a clear message that brazen lawbreaking like Ms. Abughazaleh’s will not be tolerated and that ICE officers will be protected.’
