A Minnesota man involved in a widely circulated altercation with a conservative reporter says the fallout has taken a serious toll on his family, including job losses and what he described as relentless harassment, as reported [1] by Fox News.
Chris Ostroushko, who was filmed in a confrontation with Savanah Hernandez during an anti-ICE protest earlier this month, spoke out in an interview with One America News Network published Monday. He said the intensity of the response has caused him to reconsider his future in the United States.
“It’s a little overwhelming and makes me second-guess even living in this country, to be honest with you, with all that’s going on,” Ostroushko said. “I’ve never had this happen in my life.”
Minnesota dad who shoved conservative reporter says he’s second-guessing living in US after backlash https://t.co/oJ2sXH9BlU [2] pic.twitter.com/IUK4T8G7Zu [3]
— New York Post (@nypost) April 22, 2026 [4]
According to Ostroushko, the reaction has extended far beyond online criticism. He said his family, neighbors, and extended relatives have received “hundreds of phone calls a day, text messages, and social media messages” since the incident went viral.
The confrontation took place on April 11 outside the Whipple building in Minnesota during a demonstration labeled “F— ICE Day.” Hernandez was covering the protest and had said that tensions escalated when demonstrators realized she was affiliated with Turning Point USA, the conservative group founded by Charlie Kirk.
Hernandez reported that protesters surrounded her, blew horns in her face, and that both Chris Ostroushko and his daughter, Paige, physically confronted her. Video from the scene shows Ostroushko approaching Hernandez from behind and appearing to shove her to the ground.
Ostroushko has disputed that characterization, maintaining in a previous interview that he was acting to protect his family. “We are absolutely not violent people. In fact, we tend to shy away from it,” he said during an appearance on a podcast hosted by Brian Shapiro.
NEW: Paige, DeYanna, and Chris Ostroushko WILL BE CHARGED locally in the violent assault of reporter Savanah Hernandez.
Mike Davis is pushing for FEDERAL CHARGES.
WOULD YOU SUPPORT FEDERAL CHARGES IN THIS CASE? pic.twitter.com/i0jztLWzpm [5]
— Publius (@OcrazioCornPop) April 12, 2026 [6]
In the days following the incident, the Ostroushko family said they had been doxed and publicly targeted. They also stated that they lost their jobs as a result of the backlash. The family has launched a GoFundMe campaign with a goal of raising $8,000 and has collected just over $300 so far.
The situation has also raised questions about injuries sustained during and after the confrontation. The family claims that their daughter Paige suffered neck injuries during interactions with law enforcement. Meanwhile, Hernandez told Fox News Digital that she sought medical treatment and was diagnosed with a concussion and multiple sprains.
UPDATE: Chris Ostroushko says that the backlash his family has been receiving for their actions last weekend has been “overwhelming” and “nonstop”
He’s now “second guessing” living in the United States, because he’s unhappy with how negatively the public has reacted to him… pic.twitter.com/NaPH5UvkiG [7]
— Savanah Hernandez (@Savsays) April 21, 2026 [8]
The case has drawn attention from federal officials. Assistant Attorney General Harmeet Dhillon and Vice President J.D. Vance confirmed that the FBI has opened an investigation into the incident.
At the local level, the Hennepin County Sheriff’s Office said the matter remains under investigation. The office has recommended charges against both Christopher Ostroushko and Paige Ostroushko in connection with what it described as the assault of a journalist.
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty has not yet announced whether charges will be filed.
Officials have not provided further updates, and the sheriff’s office did not immediately respond to additional requests for comment.