After weeks of the Trump administration defending the ICE agent involved in the Minneapolis shooting of Renee Nicole Good, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem finally admitted something, but not before she erupted at the host.
In an interview on CBS News’ Face the Nation on Sunday, host Margaret Brennan said to Noem, “Let me talk to you about the officer, Jonathan Ross. He was struck, he was hospitalized,” she said about the ICE agent.
Highlights
- Kristi Noem erupted at a CBS host for saying ICE agent Jonathan Ross' name, citing an 8,000% rise in threats against law enforcement.
- Noem admitted Ross is under investigation by ICE, following the same policies as the Biden administration, amid protests over the shooting.
- Noem rejected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz's claim Ross was the only person not investigated and criticized his judgment on law enforcement issues.
- Bodycam video suggests Renee Nicole Good’s tires were turned away, contradicting claims she tried to ram ICE agents before she was shot.
- At least six federal prosecutors resigned in protest after being ordered to investigate Good’s wife, Rebecca, who was acting as a legal observer.
Kristi Noem snapped at a CBS News host
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“Well don't say his name! I mean, for heaven’s sake, we shouldn’t have people continue to dox law enforcement when they have an 8,000 percent increase in death threats against them,” Noem snapped.
“His name is public,” Brennan responded calmly, as Noem said, “I know, but that doesn’t mean it should continue to be said.”
She repeated the Trump administration’s claim that Ross was “attacked” by Good’s car, and that he and his family have been suffering ever since.
Noem added, “People have attacked him and his family, and they are in jeopardy. And we have law enforcement officers every day who are getting death threats, and getting attacked at their hotels.”
Brennan then asked if he was being reviewed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) for the shooting, a question Noem initially refused to answer.
She then revealed, “We are following the exact same investigative and review process that we always have under ICE and under the Department of Homeland Security and within the administration. The exact same policy that the Biden administration used.”
Brennan interrupted Noem, asking, “So his actions are being reviewed?”
Noem continued, ignoring Brennan, “We haven’t changed any of that.”
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Noem then rejected Minnesota Governor Tim Walz’s accusation that Ross was the “only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good.”
“I would not listen to Governor Walz. He has a very bad track record,” Noem said. She added, “He certainly doesn’t have good judgment in these types of situations and I’m not going to be taking any advice from him in how we implement the law and protect people.”
“Is he back at work? Did you give him his three days of suspension?” Brennan inquired.
Noem admitted that Ross is being investigated by ICE
Image credits: CBS News/Face the Nation/YouTube
“We followed the exact same protocols that we always have for years as to investigations into these situations,” Noem said after thinking about her response for a few seconds.
Brennan asked again, after noting that Ross was released from the hospital on the same day as the shooting, “Three days of administrative leave?”
“I’m not going to talk about his medical records,” Noem said. She added she wanted ICE agents to work knowing “they can do so safely and that the media and people aren’t going to attack them for standing up for what’s right.”
The 37-year-old mother-of-three was shot and killed while she was in her car by Ross, who alleged she tried to ram him during a protest. The incident led to nationwide protests.
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The Trump administration has stood by and defended Ross, even saying he has full federal immunity.
The White House claimed Good had been “stalking and impeding” ICE’s “lawful operations” throughout the day before the shooting. But witnesses said Good and her wife, Rebecca, were acting as legal observers and filming the protest.
Noem, Ross, and President Donald Trump have all alleged that Good was trying to run over the agents with her car. But bodycam video released later appears to show that Good’s tires were turned away from agents.
Image credits: CBS News/Face the Nation/YouTube
It also shows Good smiling at Ross, saying, “That’s fine, dude, I’m not mad at you.” Ross tells Good to stop as she attempts to drive away. But as she pulls away, he fires multiple shots through the side window at Good and calls her a “f*****g b***h.”
ICE has since launched an investigation into Good’s wife, Rebecca. At least six federal prosecutors resigned in protest at being ordered to investigate her.