Democratic candidate Katherine Abughazaleh indicted over ICE protest

A Democratic congressional candidate in Illinois has been indicted on federal charges related to an incident in which protesters allegedly attacked an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vehicle outside a facility in suburban Chicago last month.

Katherine “Kat” Abu Ghazaleh, 26, a self-described “Gen Z influencer” running for congress in Illinois’ 9th District, is accused of conspiring to obstruct or injure an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer while on duty in Broadview, Illinois, on Sept. 26, according to an indictment unsealed Wednesday.

Abu-Ghazaleh was expected to win the Democratic nomination to succeed Representative Jan Schakowsky, Democrat of Illinois, who is 81 years old, and who is retiring.

Five other protesters were also charged with Abu-Ghazaleh, including one of her aides and two other political candidates.

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The defendants include Andre Martin, described in the indictment as an associate who worked with him or her; Michael Rabbitt, Democratic Committeeman for Chicago’s 45th District; Katherine Sharp, candidate for Cook County Board of Commissioners; and Brian Straw and Jocelyn Walsh, who are listed as Illinois residents.

According to the indictment, a group of individuals surrounded a government vehicle “with the intent to impede or impede” operations by striking and pushing the vehicle “violently.” The protesters allegedly wrote insulting messages including the word “pig” on the car, smashed a side mirror and damaged the rear windshield wiper.

The indictment also alleges that Abu-Ghazaleh moved to the front of the government vehicle during the confrontation, pressed her hands on the hood and used her body to block her path.

“No one is above the law, and no one has the right to obstruct it,” Todd Blanche, a deputy district attorney, said in a statement Wednesday. He added: “The Department of Justice will never tolerate such behavior and will continue to hold accountable anyone who seeks to obstruct lawful federal operations.”

Andrew S added: “All federal officials must be able to carry out their duties without facing force, intimidation or threats,” Boutros, U.S. Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois, said in a statement Wednesday.

“As we have repeatedly warned, we will seek to hold accountable those who cross the line from peaceful protests to unlawful acts or conspiracies that obstruct, impede or impede the due administration of justice.”

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Democratic congressional candidate Kat Abu-Ghazaleh protests at an ICE processing center on September 26, 2025 near Chicago. (Reuters/Jim Vondruska)

Abu-Ghazaleh responded to the accusations in a post on Wednesday, alleging that she was being targeted for exercising her First Amendment rights.

Abu-Ghazaleh said: “This is a political trial and a grave attempt to silence the opposition, which is a right protected by the First Amendment to the Constitution.” “This case is another attempt by the Trump administration to criminalize protest and punish those who dare to speak out. That is why I will fight these unfair charges.”

The case has been referred to U.S. District Judge April Perry, who is also presiding over a separate case related to President Donald Trump’s efforts to deploy the National Guard to Chicago. Perry had previously blocked the deployment of troops, saying there was no evidence of “risk of insurrection” in the state after the Trump administration requested emergency accommodation.

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Protests at an ICE facility recently have put Abu-Ghazaleh in the spotlight, including an incident last month when an agent threw her to the ground, a moment that went viral on social media.

The “Gen Z influencer” is a former video producer at liberal watchdog Media Matters for America, who has gained a large following on TikTok.

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Abu-Ghazaleh’s indictment comes shortly after another Democratic politician, Rep. LaMonica McIver, was charged with assaulting ICE agents, underscoring a surge in cases involving political figures allegedly interfering with immigration enforcement.

Fox News’ Bree Stimson contributed to this report.