The mayor of Minneapolis has urged federal authorities to allow Minnesota officials to participate in the investigation into the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer, sharply criticizing what he described as a rush to judgment by the Trump administration.
Mayor Jacob Frey said the federal response has focused on advancing a narrative rather than establishing facts, raising concerns about whether the investigation will be fair and transparent. His comments follow statements by senior federal officials who quickly labeled the incident as an act of “domestic terrorism,” even as questions remain about the moments leading up to the shooting.
“The federal administration was so quick to jump on a narrative as opposed to the truth,” Frey said, calling for greater openness and local involvement in the inquiry. He specifically asked that Minnesota’s Bureau of Criminal Apprehension be included alongside the FBI.
The case has drawn intense national attention after the Department of Homeland Security secretary, Kristi Noem, described Good’s actions as domestic terrorism shortly after the shooting. Noem later said state level prosecutors had no jurisdiction over the investigation, a stance that has fueled backlash from local and state leaders.
Frey said the early characterization was premature, particularly before the release of video footage recorded on an officer’s cellphone. In the video, Good is heard calmly telling an ICE agent, “I’m not mad at you,” moments before she was shot. In the aftermath, a voice believed to belong to the officer can be heard using a derogatory remark.
Independent reviews of available footage have suggested that Good was turning away from the officer rather than attempting to strike him with her vehicle, contradicting claims by some federal officials that the shooting was an act of self defense.
Minnesota Democratic Senator Tina Smith also raised concerns about the integrity of the federal investigation. She questioned why state investigators were being excluded, saying the approach appeared designed to control the public narrative.
“What I see is a strategy of putting out their version of events,” Smith said. “That is very dangerous, and I don’t think people are going to buy it, particularly after you see these videos.”
Vice President JD Vance defended the ICE officer, stating that he was “protected by absolute immunity” and “doing his job.” Meanwhile, Trump administration officials, including Noem and border policy adviser Tom Homan, have shifted criticism toward state and local leadership when pressed about the terrorism designation.
Asked directly about the allegation, Homan said, “I don’t know what Secretary Noem knows and what I know. I can tell you what they did is illegal. And if you look up the definition of terrorism, it could fall within that definition.”
Frey has been outspoken since the shooting, drawing headlines after telling ICE to “get the fuck out of Minneapolis” during a press conference. He also dismissed claims that the officer acted in self defense, calling that explanation “bullshit.”
When questioned about whether his language contributed to rising tensions, Frey acknowledged responsibility for the tone but drew a sharp contrast between words and actions.
“To those that are offended, I’m sorry I offended their delicate ears,” he said. “But as far as who inflamed the situation, I dropped an F bomb, and they killed somebody. I think the killing somebody is the inflammatory element here.”
The dispute has unfolded amid nationwide protests and growing demands for accountability, with critics arguing that excluding state authorities undermines public trust in the investigation. As pressure mounts, calls for an independent and transparent inquiry into Good’s death continue to intensify.
