WATCH: Indicted Dem Candidate Bails On Interview When Confronted With Video Evidence

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A far-left Media Matters veteran turned congressional candidate in a deep blue Chicago district abruptly ended an interview when confronted with video evidence — which she uploaded to her own social media pages — relating to her recent indictment for impeding federal agents.

Kat Abughazaleh, 26, was among six people who were federally charged on Wednesday, October 29, for allegedly blocking a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) vehicle as it attempted to enter a detention facility in the community of Broadview. Abughazaleh and other candidates for the open seat in Chicago’s 9th Congressional District have become mainstays outside the facility, which has been the site of repeated unrest and attacks on federal agents.

The indictment accuses Abughazaleh and co-defendants of participating in a group that surrounded and blocked a black SUV driven by “Agent A,” as it attempted to enter the facility. Footage uploaded to Abughazaleh’s X page shows the group standing in front of the vehicle and placing their hands on it, at which point a mob consisting of dozens of rioters proceeded to bang on windows and prevent it from moving forward.

Damage inflicted on the vehicle included a smashed side mirror and a snapped rear windshield wiper, while at least one rioter inscribed the word “PIG” on the vehicle’s body, prosecutors allege. Footage uploaded by Abughazaleh shows the group blocking the car while chanting, “Up, up with liberation, down, down with deportation,” though the vandalism was not clearly depicted in the video shared by the candidate.

Also indicted alongside Abughazaleh was Catherine Sharp, a Democratic Party candidate for the Cook County Board of Commissioners (12th District), Michael Rabbitt, a Democrat committeeperson for Chicago’s 45th ward, and three other protesters. The indictment further notes that the group “conspired with one another and others, known and unknown,” implying a larger crowd was involved in a planned act.

Abughazaleh has denied wrongdoing and announced her intention to plead not guilty in a video statement released shortly after the charges were announced. The candidate accused the vehicle of attempting to intentionally run down the group as they peacefully stood in a crosswalk, a claim that appears to be refuted by her own video.

On Thursday, Abughazaleh was asked about the charges against her in an interview with veteran journalist Tara Palmeri, who asked whether she participated in any acts of vandalism laid out by prosecutors. “I’m not speaking to the specifics of anything that’s in the indictment right now. But like I said, I do plan on pleading not guilty. And the evidence will come out in court. And I plan on winning,” the “squad”-aligned candidate responded.

Palmeri then played the video of the incident — which was uploaded by Abughazaleh herself and clearly shows her standing in front of the vehicle — as the candidate looked on without much emotion. “You see that, what do you think right now?” Palmeri asked.

“You know, Tara, once again, this is my first time being federally indicted. Like I said, I plan on pleading not guilty. The evidence will come out in court and I plan on winning,” Abughazaleh responded before thanking Palmeri for having her on and abruptly ending the interview. The journalist did not immediately notice, as she asked a follow-up question before expressing shock at the abrupt end.

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

Abughazaleh and her co-defendants are facing one count each of conspiracy to impede or injure a federal law enforcement officer and forcibly impeding, intimidating or interfering with a federal law enforcement officer, both felonies. Each count carries a maximum sentence of 8 years in federal prison and fines up to $250,000.

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