A Minnesota father and daughter, along with the mother, have pleaded not guilty to federal charges stemming from an alleged assault on a Turning Point USA (TPUSA) reporter during an anti-ICE protest in April. Christopher Ostroushko, 51, his daughter Paige Ostroushko, 20, and his wife DeYanna Ostroushko appeared in federal court on Tuesday after being indicted last month.
Incident Details
The confrontation occurred on April 11 outside the Whipple Federal Building in Minneapolis. Video footage shows anti-ICE protesters surrounding Savanah Hernandez after discovering her affiliation with Charlie Kirk's nonprofit. Paige Ostroushko is seen blowing a whistle directly into Hernandez's ear before Christopher shoves her to the ground. DeYanna Ostroushko, an Iranian American, also yelled and shoved Hernandez during the altercation.
Charges and Legal Proceedings
Christopher and Paige Ostroushko face charges of interference with a federally protected activity and willfully injuring and intimidating Hernandez. DeYanna Ostroushko is charged with assault. All three pleaded not guilty. The Department of Justice stated that the assault occurred because Hernandez was identified as a conservative journalist, calling it "unhinged acts of political violence."
Hernandez filed a lawsuit on May 6, claiming she suffered a concussion, strained ankle and cervical spine muscles, broken prescription glasses, nightmares, and panic attacks. Her attorneys emphasized accountability, while the Ostroushkos' lawyers noted the family has lost jobs and faced online harassment.
Contradicting Accounts
Christopher Ostroushko claimed in a podcast that the family is not violent and that video evidence would show he stayed back. Hernandez countered, stating multiple camera angles show her being attacked without provocation. She alleged that Christopher instructed his daughter to blow the whistle in her ear.
The case continues in federal court, with both sides preparing for trial.
