Demonstrators protest outside Trump International Hotel & Tower in Chicago on Sept. 9, 2025, opposing the deployment of federal agents. (Talia Sprague/Bloomberg via Getty Images)
In response, Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin accused Abughazaleh of seeking attention for her campaign by attempting to "obstruct justice."
McLaughlin told Fox News Digital, "This fame-hungry, cable TV candidate is so desperate for her 15-minutes of fame that she will go so far as to put our law enforcement at risk and obstruct justice."
Others on social media condemned Abughazaleh for attempting to interfere in a law enforcement operation.
Conservative commentator Greg Price posted that it was Abughazaleh's actions that resulted in her being "tossed to the ground."
"Impeding a federal ICE operation is a crime," he wrote.
Federal officials arrest a criminal Mexican national for multiple illegal reentries during "Operation Midway Blitz." (Fox News)
Another commentator, Paul Szypula, suggested that the government "arrest her immediately and prosecute her for her numerous federal crimes," saying, "Make a legal example out of this maniac."
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Local outlet ABC 7 reported that three protesters were arrested on Friday in Broadview, Illinois, after federal officials clashed with a group of protesters blocking ICE vehicles from entering and exiting the facility. The outlet reported that at one point, federal officials deployed riot control smoke to push back the crowds.
The outlet said protesters plan to continue the protests weekly as the Trump administration ramps up its "Operation Midway Blitz" to crack down on illegal immigrant crime in the Chicago area.
A spokesperson for ICE also commented on the incident, telling Fox News Digital, "Once an activist, always an activist."
"Kat Abughazaleh’s irresponsible behavior inciting violence and encouraging lawlessness puts a selfish publicity stunt over the safety of officers, facility employees and detainees," said the spokesperson.
Fox News Digital reached out to Abughazaleh’s campaign for comment, but did not immediately receive a response.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/democratic-congressional-candidate-thrown-ground-during-anti-ice-protest