DOJ investigates Renee Good's widow and elected officials after fatal ICE operation

WASHINGTON, DC: Federal officials are investigating Becca Good, the widow of Renee Nicole Good, to determine whether she impeded a federal officer moments before her wife was fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis, according to two people familiar with the probe.

The federal investigation into the shooting by ICE officer Jonathan Ross has increasingly centered on Becca Good’s actions and her alleged ties to activist groups, the sources said, while placing less emphasis on Ross’ decision to fire into Renee Good’s vehicle during an immigration operation last week.

The killing has sparked protests in Minneapolis and renewed calls for accountability for federal immigration officers, whose enforcement operations have resulted in at least 10 other shootings since September.

Jennifer McGuffin, a spokesperson for Becca Good’s attorney, said Friday that “there has been no contact from the FBI or federal officials to Good indicating she is the subject of an investigation.”

Tim Walz and Jacob Frey also under scrutiny

The Justice Department is also examining whether Minnesota Gov Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey conspired to impede federal immigration agents through their public statements criticizing ICE tactics, according to a senior law enforcement official and another person familiar with the matter.

Both Democratic leaders have denounced ICE’s enforcement approach and dismissed the inquiry as politically motivated. Frey said he would not be intimidated.

“The only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her,” Walz said.

The Justice Department declined to comment on the investigation into Becca Good and did not respond to questions regarding Walz and Frey.

Kristi Noem's framing raises alarm

FBI Director Kash Patel said on X that agents were operating in Minneapolis to crack down on “violent rioters” and to investigate funding networks supporting criminal activity, citing multiple arrests.

The investigations follow a December memo from Attorney General Pam Bondi that elevated countering “domestic t*******m” as a top Justice Department priority.

The memo called for scrutiny of groups with “anti-fascist” platforms that justify violence and outlined statutes that could be used to charge “Antifa-aligned extremists.”

According to people familiar with the case, investigators are focusing on a statute cited in the memo that addresses “assaulting, resisting, or impeding federal officers.”

President Donald Trump last week described Renee and Becca Good as “professional agitators,” without providing evidence.

Shortly after the shooting, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem labeled Renee Good’s actions “domestic t*******m.”

Former DOJ Domestic Terrorism Coordinator Thomas Brzozowski warned that applying the term outside its statutory framework is “super dangerous,” saying it could enable sprawling investigations into a victim’s associates and protest networks.

Video footage and conflicting accounts

Video from the encounter shows Ross approaching Renee Good’s SUV amid honking cars, sirens and whistles from protesters. Good is heard telling Ross, “That’s fine, dude, I’m not mad at you,” before another officer orders her to exit the vehicle.

As Becca Good appears to say “Drive,” the SUV turns away from the officer and begins moving.

In footage from Ross’ phone, he can be heard shouting and then firing multiple shots. A male voice later utters a profane remark.

Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche said there is “currently no basis” for a criminal civil rights investigation into Ross.

The Department of Homeland Security has stated that internal reviews are underway. However, Minneapolis officials have questioned their credibility, noting that Noem has already stated that the officer followed his training.

“This vehicle was used to hit this officer,” Noem said a day after the shooting, describing it as a weapon used in a violent act.