A progressive Democrat abruptly exited an interview when confronted with questions about a video allegedly showing her involved in an altercation with an ICE officer.

Kat Abughazaleh, 26, faced tough questioning from journalist Tara Palmeri concerning an incident earlier this month. During the event, Abughazaleh and others reportedly surrounded a federal officer’s vehicle, pounded on its hood and windows, carved the word “PIG” on its side, and obstructed its movement.

Abughazaleh, a Gen Z candidate aiming to represent Illinois’ 9th District in the U.S. House of Representatives, declined to elaborate, stating only that she intends to plead not guilty.

‘I’m not speaking to the specifics of anything that’s in the indictment right now,’ she said in a Zoom interview with Palmeri’s show, The Red Letter.

Palmeri then introduced a video clip of the incident and asked Abughazaleh for her thoughts on the footage.

Abughazaleh responded, “Tara, as I mentioned, this is my first time facing a federal indictment. I plan to plead not guilty. The evidence will be presented in court, and I am confident in my defense. Thank you for having me.”

As Palmeri continued, it became clear that Abughazaleh had left the chat and refused to continue on with the interview. 

‘Did she just sign off?’ Palmeri asked after not seeing her in the Zoom call our getting an answer to her next question. 

The progressive Democrat charged with assaulting an ICE officer stormed out an interview when journalist Tara Palmeri (pictured right) questioned her about video clip of the day of the incident

Kat Abughazaleh, 26, was challenged by independent journalist Tara Palmeri about specifics from the September incident where the feds claimed she her fellow defendants ‘surrounded a federal officer’s vehicle, banged on its hood and windows, etched ‘PIG’ on the side, and impeded movement’ 

‘I’m so confused. I’m sorry. I don’t know what just happened. I’ve never had that happen before.’

On her Substack, Palmeri admitted she was shocked and claimed she had a ‘Katie Porter moment,’ referring to the ex-Congresswoman and California gubernatorial candidate who had an ugly confrontation during an interview. 

She admitted that Abughazaleh told her before the interview that ‘there were some things she couldn’t discuss because it’s an ongoing legal case.’

While Palmeri called that ‘normal,’ she still didn’t expect the Congressional candidate to ghost her.

‘She could have easily said, “I can’t get into the details, but here’s what I can say.” Instead, she shut down.’

The Daily Mail has reached out to a spokesperson for Abughazaleh for comment. 

Abughazaleh, a Palestinian, was charged by the Department of Justice with two counts of conspiracy to impede or injure an ICE officer, along with assaulting or impeding that officer while he was on duty.

The indictment, which was filed on October 23, accuses Abughazaleh, as well as five others, of attacking an ICE agent’s vehicle by banging aggressive on the car’s side, back windows, and hood.

Footage on September 19th, shows an ICE officer throwing Abughazaleh to the ground for blocking the driveway outside Broadview ICE detention center in Chicago

Abughazaleh is accused of hindering and impeding the vehicle’s movement and etching the word ‘PIG’ on the ICE officer’s car.

If found guilty, she could face prison sentences of up to six years on the conspiracy charge and eight years for assaulting the ICE agent.

Footage, previously reported by the Daily Mail, shows Abughazaleh, 26, gathering with protesters outside Broadview ICE detention center in Chicago.

An agent, at one point, confronts Abughazaleh for blocking the driveway of the facility and drags her back before tossing to the pavement.

If convicted, Abughazaleh could face nearly a decade behind bars for assaulting an ICE officer

Footage on September 19th, shows an ICE officer throwing Abughazaleh to the ground for blocking the driveway outside Broadview ICE detention center in Chicago

More footage from September 26 features Abughazaleh bracing her body against an ICE vehicle along dozens of more protesters.

Abughazaleh, 26, is a former journalist for Media Matters and Mother Jones

The Palestinian liberal responded to the indictment on social media by accusing the Trump administration of political persecution.

‘This is a political prosecution and a gross attempt to silence dissent, a right protected under the First Amendment,’ Abughazaleh told her followers on X.

‘This case is a major push by the Trump administration to criminalize protest and punish anyone who speaks out against them.’

Abughazaleh announced her candidacy to replace outgoing Democratic Rep. Jan Schakowsky. The Democratic primary election will be held on March 17, 2026, followed by the general election on Nov. 3, 2026.

‘I’m not backing down, and we’re going to win,’ Abughazaleh added.

As the Trump administration has scaled up its efforts to enforce the president’s mass deportation agenda in the Chicago area, activist groups have responded by camping outside ICE detainment areas with hundreds of protesters.

GOP politicians and influencers online have demanded federal authorities crackdown on protesters they claim are interfering with immigration enforcement.

Abughazaleh, 26, is a former journalist for Media Matters and Mother Jones

Illinois candidate for Congress Kat Abughazaleh is picked up and tossed by ICE agents as she protests with a group at the Broadview ICE facility 

More footage from September 26 features Abughazaleh bracing her body against an ICE vehicle along dozens of more protesters

She is an outspoken progressive candidate running to replace a retiring Democratic lawmaker

More footage from September 26 features Abughazaleh bracing her body against an ICE vehicle along dozens of more protesters

Conservative X users celebrated her indictment on Wednesday by calling for her to be thrown in prison.

‘LOCK HER UP AND THROW AWAY THE KEY!’ wrote Matt Gaetz producer Vish Burra.

Meanwhile, conservative legal expert Will Chamberlain praised the DOJ attorney responsible for charging Abughazaleh.

‘Cheers to US Attorney for the Northern District of Illinois Andrew Boutros, who brought this righteous prosecution, sending a clear message that brazen lawbreaking like Ms. Abughazaleh’s will not be tolerated and that ICE officers will be protected.’