Conservatives are sharply criticizing Gen Z congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh for her claim of free speech as she faces federal charges related to her protest activities at a federal immigration facility. Abughazaleh, who is running for a seat in Illinois’ 9th Congressional District, has been indicted by the Justice Department for blocking an ICE vehicle during a protest in Broadview, Illinois. The indictment alleges that she physically impeded a federal agent, forcing the vehicle to travel at an extremely slow speed to avoid endangering the protesters. Abughazaleh has responded to the indictment by labeling it a politically motivated effort to silence dissent, asserting that her actions were protected under the First Amendment. However, conservatives, including prominent figures like Andy Ngo and Mike Davis, have dismissed her claim, arguing that her actions were both illegal and politically driven. Some critics also highlighted her past affiliations with left-wing media groups and her previous career, including a stint as a bartender, to question her credentials and motivations.
On social media, conservative voices have rallied behind the