'Broadview 6' judge moves on from White House interference claims after feds' denial

The federal judge presiding over the conspiracy case against the remaining members of the “Broadview Six” largely closed the book Tuesday on a bid for White House communications in the case, after prosecutors denied that any such correspondence exists.

The feds say “there are no communications of any nature from, to, or with anyone” outside the U.S. attorney’s office, aside from local FBI investigators, and they’ve made clear that “includes anyone in the White House and all components and offices of Main Justice.”

That’s despite the fact that at least one defendant in the case, former congressional candidate Kat Abughazaleh, had the attention of White House Deputy Press Secretary Abigail Jackson and far-right influencer Laura Loomer.

Defense attorneys wanted U.S. District Judge April Perry to order prosecutors to explain how they reached their conclusion, but she declined to do so Tuesday in the latest hearing in the case. She said the feds know how to do their job and that “their law licenses … are on the line.”

The judge ultimately denied as moot the defense bid for such communications, meaning the issue had already been resolved by the feds’ claims. She also denied other defense requests related to selective prosecution claims, noting that “being a politician is not a protected class.”

Being a member of a certain political party could qualify, but she told defense attorneys “you haven’t shown me any evidence that that was considered here.”

The defense recently disclosed a note sent by the federal agent at the center of the case, in which he identified the political positions held by some of the defendants. But, Perry noted, it did not mention their parties.

Besides, the agent also described one defendant as being an “Oak Park/Oakbrook Board of Trustees Member.”

“There’s a big difference between an Oak Park politician and an Oak Brook politician,” Perry remarked, prompting smiles among the defendants.

Point being, it was hard to make inferences from the note.

Charged in the case are four people involved in local Democratic politics. They are Abughazaleh, Oak Park village trustee Brian Straw, 45th Ward Democratic committeeperson Michael Rabbitt and Andre Martin, a member of Abughazaleh’s campaign staff. The feds also dropped charges against two others originally charged in the case.

The group is accused of a conspiracy to impede a federal agent. The case revolves around events on the morning of Sept. 26, outside the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement facility in Broadview during protests against the Operation Midway Blitz deportation campaign.

The defendants are accused of being part of a group that surrounded the agent’s vehicle and pushed, scratched and otherwise damaged it.

The case is on track for trial May 26, though a motion to dismiss the conspiracy charge on First Amendment grounds is still pending. Each defendant also faces a separate misdemeanor charge.

Defense attorneys said it’s another example of President Donald Trump’s administration using the Justice Department to target his “perceived political enemies.” Prosecutors said any claim of selective or vindictive prosecution is “the product of fevered paranoia and delusional speculation.”

The note Perry referenced Tuesday was sent by the agent to three senior ICE officials the day the original six defendants were indicted, defense attorneys have said.

“Among the 6 defendants,” he wrote, “there is a US congressional candidate, a 45th ward Committee Person, and a Oak Park/Oakbrook Board of Trustees Member.”

In a separate text exchange the day the indictment was unsealed, someone told the agent, “You’re going to be famous bruh.”

The agent allegedly wrote back, “Only among lefties.”

But Perry wasn’t convinced Tuesday.

“Public officials being charged is the bread and butter of the U.S. attorney’s office,” she said, noting that it is “always considered a plus factor.”