Executive Summary
- Mayor Jacob Frey requested the FBI include Minnesota state investigators in the probe of Renee Good’s death.
- DHS Secretary Kristi Noem labeled the incident “domestic terrorism” and asserted state officials lack jurisdiction.
- Video evidence has raised questions about the official claim that Good attempted to run over the ICE officer.
- Vice President JD Vance stated the officer involved is protected by absolute immunity.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has formally called on the federal government to include the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension in the investigation into the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer. Speaking on Sunday, Frey expressed concerns regarding the impartiality of the probe, citing rapid characterizations of the incident by the administration of President Trump.
During an appearance on NBC’s Meet the Press, Frey argued that the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) should not conduct the inquiry in isolation. He emphasized the need for transparency, stating that the federal administration was “so quick to jump on a narrative as opposed to the truth.” Frey’s comments referred to earlier statements by Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who described Good’s actions as “domestic terrorism” shortly after the incident.
The dispute over jurisdiction has intensified as federal and state officials offer conflicting narratives. Secretary Noem has asserted that state-level prosecutors “don’t have any jurisdiction in this investigation.” Similarly, Vice President JD Vance defended the ICE officer, stating the agent is “protected by absolute immunity” and was simply performing his duties. Conversely, Minnesota Senator Tina Smith told ABC’s This Week that blocking state investigators suggests a strategy to control the version of events presented to the public.
Significant questions remain regarding the circumstances of the shooting. While administration officials claimed Good attempted to run over the officer, analysis of cellphone footage appears to show Good turning away from the agent and saying, “I’m not mad at you,” seconds before shots were fired. Tom Homan, designated as the “border czar” by President Trump, acknowledged on Meet the Press that he did not possess all the information Noem might have, but maintained that Good’s actions were illegal and could fit the definition of terrorism.
Investigative Jurisdiction and Public Trust
The conflict between Minneapolis officials and the federal government highlights the complex legal friction between federal supremacy in immigration enforcement and local demands for oversight in officer-involved shootings. By excluding the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, the administration relies on federal supremacy clauses, yet this exclusion risks diminishing public trust in the investigation’s findings, particularly when video evidence appears to contradict initial official accounts. As the inquiry proceeds, the scope of federal immunity and the definition of “domestic terrorism” in the context of resisting arrest will likely be central legal pivot points. It is important to note that all individuals involved are presumed innocent of any criminal wrongdoing until proven guilty in a court of law.
