Trump Administration to Send More Federal Agents to Minnesota After ICE Shooting

The Trump administration has announced it will deploy “hundreds more” federal law enforcement officers to Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of a woman by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent earlier this week.

Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed the move during an interview with Fox News, saying the additional officers are being sent to ensure the safety of ICE and Border Patrol agents currently operating in the city.

“Hundreds more will be sent in order to allow our ICE and our Border Patrol individuals that are working in Minneapolis to do so safely,” Noem said. She added that the officers are expected to arrive “today and tomorrow.”

Protests Erupt After Fatal Shooting

The deployment comes amid nationwide protests following the death of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good, who was shot while sitting in her car during an ICE operation in Minneapolis on Wednesday. Demonstrations against immigration enforcement have since taken place in multiple cities, including Austin, Seattle, New York, Los Angeles, and Minneapolis.

Local authorities reported large crowds in Minnesota over the weekend. Minneapolis police estimated that “tens of thousands of people” attended the “ICE Out of Minnesota” rally and march, which began at Powderhorn Park on Saturday. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey described the protest as peaceful.

Police said 31 people were arrested during protests held on Friday and Saturday.

Disputed Accounts of the Shooting

The Trump administration maintains that the ICE agent involved acted in self-defence. Secretary Noem told CNN that Good had committed an act of “domestic terrorism,” claiming she had “weaponised” her vehicle to attack agents.

Local officials strongly dispute that characterization. Mayor Frey said video footage of the incident shows Good attempting to escape the scene, not attack officers.

“Anybody can see that this victim is not a domestic terrorist,” Frey said. “Her actions were consistent with someone trying to do a three-point turn to leave.”

Frey also said Minneapolis police were overwhelmed by the size of the federal presence in the city, stating that local law enforcement was “outnumbered by the number of ICE agents and beyond.”

Political Fallout and Federal Response

The shooting has sparked political backlash at both the state and national levels. Minnesota Senator Tina Smith accused the Trump administration of attempting to obscure the facts of the incident.

“I think what we are seeing here is the federal government Kristi Noem, Vice President Vance, Donald Trump attempting to cover up what happened,” Smith said during an interview with ABC News.

In response, White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson accused Smith of lying and inflaming tensions, saying her statements could incite violence against law enforcement officers.

What the Video Shows

Videos circulating online show ICE agents approaching a vehicle stopped in the middle of a street and ordering the driver to exit. One agent appears to pull on the driver’s side door handle. As the vehicle begins to move, another agent standing in front of the SUV points a gun at the driver. Several shots are heard before the car drives away and crashes into a roadside barrier.

Good’s wife told local media that the couple had gone to the area to support neighbors affected by immigration enforcement activity.

The ICE agent who fired the shots has been identified as Jonathan Ross, a veteran officer who was previously injured in the line of duty after being struck by a vehicle.

Investigation Underway

The FBI has confirmed it will investigate the shooting. Meanwhile, federal law enforcement officers continue to patrol Minneapolis as tensions remain high and demonstrations continue across the country.

As the investigation unfolds, the incident has reignited debate over immigration enforcement tactics, federal authority, and the use of force by law enforcement.