The fatal shooting of a U.S. citizen by a federal immigration agent in Minneapolis has triggered an intense political backlash, with senior Democrats accusing the Trump administration of spreading false and misleading claims in an effort to justify the killing.
Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three and award-winning poet, was shot dead during an encounter with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers on Wednesday. Almost immediately after her death, the White House and senior homeland security officials portrayed Good as a violent threat, a narrative that state and city leaders say is not supported by available evidence.
House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries on Thursday described Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem as a “stone cold liar,” accusing her of deliberately mischaracterizing Good as a “domestic terrorist.” Noem had claimed, without presenting evidence, that Good was “stalking and impeding” ICE officers and attempted to use her vehicle as a weapon against the agent who shot her.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey strongly rejected those claims, calling them “bullshit” and criticizing federal officials for rushing to declare the shooting an act of self-defense before any independent investigation had begun. Minnesota Governor Tim Walz echoed that criticism, accusing top administration figures, including President Donald Trump and Vice-President JD Vance, of spreading “verifiably false” information.
“People in positions of power have already passed judgment,” Walz said. “They have stood and told you things that are inaccurate and untrue.”
The victim-blaming narrative emerged within hours of the shooting. Tricia McLaughlin, an assistant secretary at the Department of Homeland Security, wrote on social media that a “violent rioter” had attempted to run over ICE officers in an act of domestic terrorism. She also claimed multiple officers were injured—an assertion that video footage and local officials have disputed.
Trump repeated and amplified those claims on his Truth Social platform and later in an interview, insisting that Good had not merely tried to run over an officer but had actually done so. The president also suggested the officer narrowly survived the incident, despite police later stating that no officers were seriously hurt.
Vice-President JD Vance added to the controversy during a heated White House briefing, accusing the media of lying and arguing that Good had been driven by left-wing ideology to attack law enforcement. “This is classic terrorism,” he said, directing his remarks at journalists who questioned the official account.
The rhetoric extended beyond the administration. On Fox News, host Jesse Watters attacked Good’s personal life, highlighting her social media profile and referencing her same-sex partner, remarks that critics said were irrelevant and meant to discredit the victim rather than address the facts.
Video evidence released so far has raised serious questions about the administration’s version of events. Footage shows Good reversing her vehicle and allowing at least one ICE vehicle to pass before agents approached her car. Another angle appears to show the officer stepping in front of the vehicle as it slowly moved away, firing multiple shots while remaining on his feet. Viewed at normal speed, the video does not show the officer being run over or knocked down.
Minneapolis Police Chief Brian O’Hara said officers at the scene reported that only Good was injured. Subsequent footage shows the ICE agent calmly walking away after the shooting, with no visible signs of injury or distress.
Claims that other officers were hurt have not been substantiated. Analysts reviewing the footage say the officer who fired was not in immediate danger when he opened fire, and no bystanders appear to have been at risk.
Political commentators and civil rights advocates have condemned what they describe as a coordinated attempt to shape public perception through repetition of false or exaggerated claims. One analyst described the administration’s statements as “pure invention,” arguing they were designed to dominate the social media narrative before facts could emerge.
Despite the heated rhetoric, Minnesota officials say an independent investigation will determine what actually happened. Walz urged patience and respect for Good’s memory, emphasizing that she should be remembered for her life, not the circumstances of her death.
“Renee Good’s story will be told by the people who knew her,” the governor said. “She was a human being, not a headline, and not a caricature created to excuse what happened.”
As calls for accountability grow, the case has become a flashpoint in the broader debate over immigration enforcement, use of force, and the responsibility of public officials to speak truthfully in moments of national tension.
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