Seattle descended into chaos this past weekend as protests billed by politicians and the media as “peaceful” turned violent, leaving property damaged, journalists injured, and law enforcement under siege. Among the most alarming incidents was the brutal assault of journalist Cam Higby by Antifa militants, who recounted his attack in an interview on The Ari Hoffman Show on Talk Radio 570 KVI.
Higby, who had been documenting protests throughout the day, described being jumped outside Seattle’s federal building after protestors clashed with law enforcement. “Three males approached me and yelled, ‘Hey Cam, it’s time to leave,’” Higby recalled. “They pinned me to the wall, then held me down face-first on the ground, choked me out, punched me in the head, and kicked me in the face.” He believes an unknown chemical was sprayed into his gas mask during the attack.
“I won’t be intimidated. Next time, my attacker’s going to get more than pepper spray. This bee stings.”
Journalist @CamHigby describes how he was assaulted by Antifa during riots this weekend which the media & politicians described as "peaceful" pic.twitter.com/JI7H91PisQ
— Ari Hoffman 🎗 (@thehoffather) June 17, 2025
Despite his injuries—including a mild concussion—Higby was able to deploy pepper spray in self-defense, causing one of his attackers to retreat, and cry.
According to Higby, the Seattle Police Department (SPD) had no intention of intervening, allegedly telling multiple sources that they were allowing the rioters to “tire themselves out.”
“They were lighting fires under moving vehicles—occupied vehicles. They were throwing fireworks at cars, smashing windshields, breaking into businesses,” Higby said. “In what world is this acceptable?”
Chaos in Tukwila and Misinformation in the Media
The unrest wasn’t confined to downtown Seattle. Earlier in the day, protestors descended on the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) facility in Tukwila, where Antifa militants attempted to barricade ICE agents inside the building. The agents were conducting lawful immigration appointments and naturalization proceedings at the time, including the swearing in of new US citizens.
Higby observed demonstrators shouting “Kill all ICE” and “Become a garbage man, you won’t get killed in the revolution.” DHS and Tukwila police eventually dispersed the crowd using flashbangs and non-lethal munitions after protestors refused to leave and blocked law enforcement vehicles from exiting.
In stark contrast to what Higby and others on the ground witnessed, Seattle Times coverage of the event painted the protestors as victims of an unprovoked federal crackdown.
Journalists Targeted
Higby wasn’t the only reporter assaulted. Brandi Kruse, host of the UnDivided podcast, was attacked in Tukwila and directly pepper-sprayed at point-blank range. Antifa members also destroyed a Jeep they mistakenly believed belonged to Higby, leaving another innocent citizen to discover his vehicle vandalized hours later.
“I feel bad for Brandi. She’s an unarmed woman, a reporter, and they assaulted her,” said Higby. “I feel bad for the guy whose Jeep was destroyed—they thought it was mine.”
He noted that fellow journalist Katie Daviscourt identified the man who led the attack against him, a known Antifa agitator who allegedly threatened to kill Higby weeks prior and had also threatened to bring a gun to a future protest.
“They said I shouldn’t come to another protest—and then followed through with violence. I won’t be intimidated,” Higby said.
Media Manipulation and Selective Editing
Higby also highlighted how Antifa-friendly media figures often film only police responses, excluding footage of militants wielding makeshift shields and launching large rocks. “I film everything—police and protesters alike. I show the truth. They don’t,” Higby emphasized.
Looking Ahead
Despite the violence, Higby affirmed he plans to return to the frontlines after he heals. “I won’t be intimidated. Next time, my attacker’s going to get more than pepper spray. This bee stings.”
