Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has defended the actions of an ICE agent involved in a fatal shooting in Minneapolis, and announced plans to deploy “hundreds” more agents to the area. The move comes amid accusations from critics that the administration is attempting to control the narrative surrounding the death of Renee Nicole Good.
The Shooting and Initial Response
Within hours of the shooting, the Department of Homeland Security and Secretary Noem labeled Good’s actions an “act of domestic terrorism,” a designation made before any formal investigation commenced. The administration has since taken control of the probe, after state investigators reported being denied access to case materials and evidence from the scene. Officials, including Noem, swiftly defended the agent’s actions, claiming video footage supported a claim of self-defense.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey dismissed this claim as a “garbage narrative.” While Noem did not name the agent involved, reports from the Minnesota Star Tribune and the N.Y. Times identified him as Jonathan Ross.
Disputed Accounts and Video Evidence
Noem denied rushing to judgment, asserting to CNN’s Jake Tapper that “everything that I’ve said has been proven to be factual, and the truth.” She reiterated a previous claim that Good “attacked them and those surrounding them and attempted to run them over and ram them with her vehicle” while agents were attempting to move a stuck vehicle. However, video analysis contradicts this account.
Footage shows Good waving other vehicles past her car, with agents exiting one vehicle that had pulled up. Critically, no agents appeared to be attempting to push a stuck car. Even a video reposted by DHS from Alpha News, intended to support the administration’s narrative, appears to undermine it. In the footage, Good is heard saying, “That’s fine dude. I’m not mad at you,” while her car partially blocks traffic. After an agent yells, “get out of the f—ing car,” Good reverses and pulls away, at which point shots are fired.
Broader Implications
The shooting has sparked anti-ICE protests nationwide, coinciding with a decline in public approval of the agency. It has also exacerbated existing tensions between Minnesota officials and the federal government regarding ICE’s enforcement activities in the Twin Cities. Senator Tina Smith (D-Minn.) accused the federal government, including Noem and Vice President Vance, of attempting a cover-up. Representative Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) criticized the rhetoric as “unjustifiable.”
Noem’s announcement of additional agent deployments, building on an already significant federal presence – described by DHS as the “largest immigration operation ever” – suggests a continued escalation of enforcement efforts in Minneapolis.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the initial response from the Department of Homeland Security?
Within hours of the shooting, the Department of Homeland Security and Secretary Noem labeled Renee Nicole Good’s actions an “act of domestic terrorism” before any investigation took place.
Who has been identified as the ICE agent involved in the shooting?
The Minnesota Star Tribune and the N.Y. Times, among other outlets, have identified the agent as Jonathan Ross.
What is the current status of the investigation?
The administration now controls the probe after state investigators were reportedly blocked from accessing case materials and scene evidence.
As federal agents continue to arrive in Minneapolis, how will the community and local officials respond to this increased presence?
