Federal officials are reportedly investigating the partner of a woman who was fatally shot by an ICE agent, raising concerns about the impartiality of the inquiry. The probe into Renee Good’s widow, Rebecca, follows accusations that she impeded an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in the moments leading up to her wife’s death.
Renee Good, 37, was shot three times by ICE agent Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis on January 7, after she allegedly refused to exit her vehicle. Sources close to the ongoing investigation, speaking to media outlets, indicate that the Department of Justice (DOJ) is now focusing on Rebecca Good.
Focus of the Investigation
The reported investigation into Rebecca Good is said to center on her alleged ties to activist groups and her actions in the immediate aftermath of the incident. This development comes just days after a significant number of federal prosecutors resigned in protest of being ordered to investigate Rebecca.
Former President Donald Trump had previously characterized the couple as “professional agitators,” while Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem referred to Renee Good’s actions as “domestic terrorism.”
Witness Accounts and Video Evidence
Footage circulating on social media captured moments preceding the shooting. In the video, Rebecca appears to be struggling with the car door as an ICE agent attempts to persuade Renee to leave her vehicle. Witnesses at a protest, where the couple was reportedly present to film and serve as legal observers, stated that Rebecca confronted and taunted ICE agents shortly before the shots were fired.
However, Renee Good’s attorney has stated that there has been no contact from the FBI or federal officials indicating that Becca Good is the subject of an investigation.
Criticism from State Officials
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has been vocal in his criticism of the federal government’s handling of the investigation into Renee Good’s death. Governor Walz himself is reportedly facing a DOJ investigation related to his anti-ICE rhetoric. He commented that “The only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her.”
Mass Resignations of Federal Prosecutors
The resignations of six federal prosecutors followed the directive from the US Attorney’s Office in Minnesota to investigate Rebecca Good. Among those who submitted their resignations was Joe Thompson, former acting US Attorney of Minnesota and a key figure in the “Feeding Our Future” food fraud case.
Governor Walz expressed his disappointment regarding Thompson’s resignation, calling him a “principled public servant” and a significant loss for the state. He further suggested that this situation exemplifies a pattern of the Trump administration pushing out nonpartisan professionals from the Department of Justice to make way for loyalists. Other Assistant US Attorneys, including Harry Jacobs, Thomas Calhoun-Lopez, and Melinda Williams, also resigned in solidarity.
Broader Federal Scrutiny
The DOJ’s actions extend beyond the investigation into Rebecca Good. The department has also reportedly launched an investigation into Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. Officials allege that this pair conspired to impede federal agents through public statements they made.
According to reports, Attorney General Pam Bondi issued a memo in December outlining the DOJ’s mission to combat “domestic terrorism” by investigating groups with an “anti-fascist platform.” The memo also listed statutes that could be used to charge individuals, including impeding federal officers, an accusation now leveled against Rebecca Good, Governor Walz, and Mayor Frey.
Legal Ramifications of Impeding Federal Officers
Cornell Law outlines that assaulting, resisting, or impeding federal officers can carry a penalty of up to 20 years in prison, particularly if the offense involves the use of a “deadly or dangerous weapon.”
Lack of Investigation into ICE Agent
Amidst the federal government’s focus on probing Renee Good’s widow, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has stated that there is “currently no basis” for an investigation into the actions of ICE agent Jonathan Ross. Sources familiar with the investigation reportedly informed The New York Times that the civil rights division of the DOJ, which typically handles police-involved shootings, has not initiated a probe into whether Ross violated Good’s federal rights. The Times further reported that it is “increasingly unlikely” that Agent Ross will face criminal charges.
