Noem defends initial comments on deadly ICE shooting
As new video of a deadly ICE-involved shooting in Minneapolis has surfaced, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended her stance that it was justified. On Friday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt reposted what appears to be a cellphone video recorded by ICE officer Jonathan Ross during the fatal encounter between him and Renee Good.
In the wake of the deadly shooting last Wednesday, Noem and other Trump administration officials, including the president, said that Ross was struck by the SUV before opening fire. This new video shows no contact.
Noem defends her stance
In an interview with CNN on Sunday, Noem defended her decision to publicly describe the shooting as a response to “domestic terrorism,” even though the investigation remains ongoing.
“Everything that I’ve said has been proven to be factual and the truth,” she said. “This administration wants to operate in transparency. I have the responsibility as the secretary of Homeland Security to know this information as soon as possible. I had just been in Minneapolis the day before, I had already had conversations with officers on the ground and supervisors and knew the facts and decided that the department and the people of this country deserve to know the truth of the situation, of what had unfolded in Minneapolis.”
Noem also addressed her use of the term “domestic terrorism” in relation to the deadly incident. She stood fast on that, as well.
“The facts of the situation are that the vehicle was weaponized and it attacked the law enforcement officer,” Noem said. “He defended himself and he defended those individuals around him. That is the definition — when there is something that is weaponized to use against the public and law enforcement, that is an act of domestic terrorism.”
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The Department of Homeland Security also shared the video and put out a statement saying, “This footage corroborates what DHS has stated all along — that this individual was impeding law enforcement and weaponizing her vehicle in an attempt to kill or cause bodily harm to federal law enforcement.”
Omar fights back
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The only Homeland Security secretary to be impeached was Alejandro Mayorkas in 2024, but it never went to trial.
In an interview on CBS on Sunday, Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar said the administration’s claims, including those made by President Donald Trump saying Good was a paid agitator, are “not acceptable.”
“If they’re saying we shouldn’t believe our eyes, then let the investigation take place before you characterize this mother of three as a domestic terrorist,” Omar said. “Prove to us what documentation you have that one, she was paid and two, that she was agitating when you can hear saying she’s not mad, she’s not upset, she’s clearly trying to waive cars to bypass her. And so it’s just this level of rhetoric is unjustifiable to the American people.”
What happens now?
The fallout has intensified on Capitol Hill. Lawmakers have called for everything from a full investigation and changes to enforcement policy, defunding ICE and even impeachment proceedings against Noem.
Meanwhile, Noem said DHS is mobilizing hundreds of Border Patrol officers to bolster the immigration crackdown in Minneapolis.
Mayor Jacob Frey called on the federal government Sunday to allow Minnesota state law enforcement officials into the FBI’s investigation of the shooting. Frey accused the Trump administration of being “quick to jump on a narrative as opposed to the truth.”
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