Indicted Chicago Dem Candidate Flees Interview When Confronted with Video Evidence [WATCH]

Illinois Democratic congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh abruptly ended an interview Thursday after journalist Tara Palmeri aired footage allegedly showing her striking the hood of a federal officer’s vehicle outside an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) facility in Broadview, Illinois.

The incident is part of a federal case in which Abughazaleh and five others have been indicted by a grand jury on charges of blocking law enforcement vehicles during a protest.

Abughazaleh, 26, is a social media influencer and former journalist who is running for Illinois’ 9th Congressional District seat currently held by retiring Democratic Rep. Jan Schakowsky.

She has been a visible activist in Chicago-area demonstrations targeting federal immigration enforcement operations.

The indictment, filed by a federal grand jury earlier this month, accuses Abughazaleh and co-defendants Michael Rabbitt, Andre Martin, Catherine Sharp, Brian Straw, and Joselyn Walsh of conspiring to impede and intimidate federal officers during a September 26 protest.

According to the indictment, the defendants allegedly “physically hindered and impeded” a federal agent who “was forced to drive at an extremely slow rate of speed to avoid injuring any of the conspirators.”

During an appearance on The Tara Palmeri Show, the host questioned Abughazaleh about the charges and showed video footage that appeared to capture the confrontation described in the indictment.

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Moments after the footage aired, Abughazaleh ended the interview mid-call.

“Tara, once again, this is my first time being federally indicted. Like I said, I’m pleading not guilty. The evidence will come out in court, and I plan on winning. Thank you so much for having me,” Abughazaleh said before disconnecting from the call.

Unaware that Abughazaleh had already signed off, Palmeri continued questioning the candidate about the potential penalties associated with the charges.

“I did want to ask you about, just the fact that conspiracy to impede officers is up to six years in prison, forcibly impeding and intimidating officers is up to eight years. That could actually hinder your ability to serve in Congress. Are you concerned about that?” Palmeri asked, before pausing and realizing her guest was no longer on the line.

“Did she just sign off? Did she just leave the chat? I’m so confused. I’m sorry.”

Before the interview ended, Palmeri had pressed Abughazaleh on the specific allegations listed in the indictment.

“The indictment alleges that you and others, quote, surrounded a federal officer’s vehicle, banged on its hood and windows, etched ‘pig’ on the side and impeded movement. Did you etch the word ‘pig’ on the side of an officer’s car?” she asked.

“I’m not speaking to the specifics of anything that’s in the indictment right now,” Abughazaleh responded.

“Like I said, I do plan on pleading not guilty, and the evidence will come out in court.”

The charges stem from a September protest outside the ICE detention transfer facility in Broadview, a frequent target of activist demonstrations against federal immigration enforcement.

Federal prosecutors allege that Abughazaleh and her co-defendants surrounded and obstructed a federal officer’s vehicle as it attempted to leave the premises, at one point forcing the agent to move the car “at an extremely slow rate of speed” to avoid striking demonstrators.

Earlier in September, Abughazaleh was involved in a separate altercation captured on video, in which an ICE agent was seen taking her to the ground after she and other protesters attempted to block agency vehicles by linking arms across the facility entrance.

The incident drew national attention and preceded the federal indictment that now threatens to derail her campaign.

Abughazaleh has maintained that she will fight the charges and continue her congressional run.

“I’m pleading not guilty,” she reiterated during her brief interview.

The case remains pending in federal court.