Hi everyone,
Kat Abughazaleh doesn't think she should have to answer questions about her participation in a violent anti-ICE protest outside the Broadview ICE facility near Chicago, Illinois. The former Media Matters activist, who is running for an Illinois congressional seat, quit a podcast interview with Tara Palmieri after being asked about the protest, her role in it, and the federal indictment against her.
Abughazaleh, along with five others, was charged with conspiring to prevent, "by force, intimidation, and threat," ICE agents from carrying out their duties. The group is alleged to have surrounded a law enforcement vehicle, banged on its windows and hood, and damaged the exterior by scratching "PIG" onto the car, breaking windows and windshield wipers.
With a large social media presence gained through her reporting on a series called "I watch Tucker Carlson so you don't have to," primarily, Abughazaleh took to the internet to complain about the indictment. She claimed "This is a political prosecution and a gross attempt to silence dissent, a right protected under the First Amendment.
"This case is a major push by the Trump administration to criminalize protest and punish anyone who speaks out against them. That's why I'm going to fight these unjust charges. But I need your help to do it." She claimed the arrest reveals "America's backslide into fascism."
But when she was asked about it on Palmieri's show, she said she plans on pleading not guilty, claimed again it was a political prosecution, and left the chat. Palmieri didn't notice at first and kept asking questions, but when she became aware, she was surprised. "Did she just sign off? Did she just leave the chat?" She asked.
Abughazaleh didn't think she had to answer questions. Neither did California gubernatorial candidate Katie Porter when she sat down for an interview with a CBS affiliate in Sacramento, abruptly saying the interview was over when she didn't want to answer follow-up questions.
"I don't understand why she left the chat. I thought I was asking pretty basic questions. And I don't know. It doesn't really bode well, personally. If she wants to be a member of Congress, and she can't really handle questions," Palmieri said after Abughazaleh's departure.
Sounds like Abughazaleh's not ready to take responsibility for her actions, not from the feds, not from podcasters in the press, and probably not from the constituents in the district she wants to represent.
Libby