Mayor Frey Defends Harsh Words After Fatal ICE Shooting Sparks Federal-Local Clash
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey has defended his harsh language in condemning a federal immigration officer’s fatal shooting, saying the focus should be on the death.
The argument follows the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good by an ICE officer in Minneapolis earlier this week. The officer fired in self-defense when Good attempted to hit him with her car, according to federal authorities. Local officials disagree, citing viral video footage of the incident.
Those recordings and local authorities’ analysis showed Good trying to steer her vehicle away from the officer when the shot was fired. This misunderstanding has strained relations between city leaders and the federal government, sparking a debate over immigration enforcement and responsibility.
At a Friday press conference, Mayor Frey was asked if he stood by his earlier week comments telling federal immigration authorities to leave the city. Frey persisted. He stated his comments were a response to the administration’s deceptive and reckless narrative after the shooting.
The mayor admitted using profanity but said the situation was overblown. He said the true indignation should be that a civilian died in a federal operation. Frey said he stands by every statement he made criticizing the federal reaction, saying strong words are not as serious as a tragic gunshot.
The Trump administration strongly disagrees. Senior federal officials blamed Good for interfering with law enforcement. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem called the officer’s shooting a defensive act and said immigration agents confront a larger threat every day.
In another briefing, Vice President JD Vance accused Good of being part of a larger attempt to attack and impede ICE personnel. Local authorities call those charges unfounded and inflame an already sensitive situation.
After the incident, Minneapolis has seen rallies and demonstrations showing public outrage. In a bigger immigration enforcement campaign, the federal government has sent thousands more officers and agents to Minnesota, worsening the situation.
The Minneapolis conflict is not isolated. On the same day, federal immigration police in Portland, Oregon, shot and wounded two people outside a hospital, renewing national scrutiny of enforcement and use-of-force decisions.
Legal and jurisdictional disputes over who should investigate the Minneapolis shooting are at the center. Federal and state officials dispute on whether a Minnesota law enforcement agency may evaluate the ICE officer’s behavior, raising worries about monitoring of lethal federal agent events.
As investigations continue, federal and local leaders remain divided. Mayor Frey wants accountability and openness. The Trump administration prioritizes federal officer protection and immigration enforcement. Meanwhile, a city mourns a death and awaits further explanations.
Sources
U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement
U.S. Department of Homeland Security
City of Minneapolis (Office of the Mayor)
