Minneapolis is reeling after a fatal shooting involving an ICE officer that claimed the life of Renee Good, igniting fierce debate over federal enforcement tactics.
On Wednesday, President Trump stated that Good ran over the officer, identified as Jonathan Ross, while a new video shared by Vice President JD Vance on Friday captured the incident from Ross's cell phone perspective. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Police Chief Brian O'Hara appeared on WCCO Sunday Morning to address the escalating concerns over the event and ICE's actions.
Critics are raising sharp questions about the official story coming from federal authorities. The video evidence has fueled skepticism about the claim that Ross was struck by a vehicle during the encounter.
Video Evidence Fuels Growing Doubts
"If he was hit and run over by a car, how the hell is he still holding on to his cell phone afterwards?" Frey pointedly asked on WCCO, highlighting a glaring inconsistency. Dig into the footage shared by CBS News Minnesota, and it's hard to ignore how improbable it seems for someone to maintain a grip on a device after such an impact. This detail alone pokes holes in the narrative peddled by some federal voices.
Frey didn't hold back on ICE's refusal to reassess their approach after Good's killing, noting a stubborn persistence in their operations. "You would hope that, especially following some form of awful and horrific event like that, they would take a step back, take a pause, and then, even better, leave," he said. Their unchanged stance only deepens the unease in a city already on edge.
Police Chief O'Hara added his own critique, zeroing in on the dangerous choice by Ross to wield both a cell phone and a firearm simultaneously. Holding a weapon with one hand while distracted by a device is a recipe for disaster, especially in a tense situation with multiple individuals present. This kind of reckless tactic puts everyone at risk, from officers to civilians.
Community Safety Under Federal Strain
Frey and O'Hara share a gnawing worry that ICE's aggressive crackdown could spark more violence in Minneapolis. The contrast between overworked local police striving for calm and federal agents seemingly fueling chaos is stark. It's a bitter pill when federal actions appear to undermine the very safety they claim to protect.
Just hours after the shooting, Frey demanded federal forces pull out of the city, a call that resonates with many frustrated residents. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem labeled Good's interaction with ICE as "an act of domestic terrorism," a charge Frey dismissed with raw disdain as pure nonsense. Such inflammatory rhetoric only widens the trust gap between communities and federal authority.
O'Hara emphasized the need for law enforcement to reflect on their methods after critical incidents, asking if they contribute to problems or place people in unjustifiable danger. Shooting into vehicles, he noted, endangers not just those inside but also nearby officers and community members. It's a sobering reminder of the high stakes at play.
Protests and Investigations Hit Roadblocks
Thousands marched in Minneapolis and nationwide on Saturday, protesting Good's killing alongside two shootings in Portland, Oregon. Frey underscored that most demonstrations remained peaceful, though he warned that property damage or threats to safety would lead to arrests. The city's pulse is tense, yet restraint has largely prevailed.
Investigation into the shooting hit a snag when the Minnesota agency tasked with the probe withdrew on Thursday after the FBI restricted access to case materials and evidence. Frey accused the FBI of dodging accountability by sidelining dissenting voices from the process. This opacity only fuels suspicions of a cover-up among wary locals.
Noem, in a CNN interview, pushed back against Frey, implying local leaders fail to cooperate with ICE efforts. Her comment that federal agents work with locals "when they work with us" hints at a deeper rift. It's a standoff that leaves Minneapolis caught in the crossfire of competing agendas.
A City Demands Answers and Action
With over 2,000 federal agents deployed to Minnesota in the past week, the largest under the Trump administration, tensions are at a boiling point. Frey has repeatedly insisted state authorities must be part of the investigation to ensure transparency. Without that inclusion, faith in justice erodes further.
The mayor's frustration with federal overreach is palpable, as he argues ICE's presence sows discord rather than security. Their methods, coupled with questionable tactics like those seen in the video, paint a troubling picture of misplaced priorities. Minneapolis deserves better than being a battleground for federal posturing.
As protests continue and investigations stall, the city's leaders are left grappling with a fundamental clash over who truly serves public safety. Frey and O'Hara stand firm in defending local control against what they see as federal recklessness. It's a fight for clarity and calm in a moment of profound unrest.
