“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.”
The Minnesota man accused of attacking Turning Point USA Frontlines reporter Savanah Hernandez says he is facing “overwhelming” backlash and is now “second-guessing” living in the United States.
In an interview on Monday with One America News Network, Chris Ostroushko said, “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.” He added that his family has received "hundreds of phone calls a day, text messages, and social media messages.”
Ostroushko, along with his wife DeYanna and daughter Paige, went viral after being involved in a physical confrontation with Hernandez in Minnesota on April 11. The incident occurred outside the Whipple Federal Building during an anti-ICE protest. Video footage shows demonstrators surrounding Hernandez while she was covering the protest, with horns and whistles being blown near her before the situation escalated.
Footage showed Ostroushko shoving Hernandez to the ground during the altercation. He later attempted to claim that he was defending his wife and daughter and described Hernandez as the aggressor. The Trump administration stated that the FBI opened an investigation into the situation.
The family has since launched a GoFundMe to try to raise $8,000, but has raised only a few hundred dollars so far. They say they have been doxed, lost their jobs, and that their daughter suffered injuries when confronted by the police for the incident.
Several news outlets had attempted to brand Ostroushko as a “Minnesota father.” Prior to the incident with Hernandez, he appeared on The Bulwark podcast, where he was branded as a regular guy protesting the Trump administration’s immigration policies.
“The family has still taken zero accountability for any of the violence they committed and are in complete shock that they are facing consequences for their actions,” Hernandez said in a post.
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