DOJ says Minneapolis ICE shooting has 'no basis' to be investigated as criminal civil rights case
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: The US Department of Justice said Tuesday, January 13. that it sees no current basis to open a criminal investigation under federal law into the deadly shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer earlier this month.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche reportedly said that the department does not believe the circumstances of the January 7 shooting meet the threshold for such an inquiry.
Shift in investigative control raises questions
Federal authorities have placed the FBI in sole charge of the probe, limiting the involvement of Minnesota law enforcement agencies that had initially been part of the investigation.
State investigators were informed last week that they would have restricted access to case materials.
Federal investigators have also restricted local authorities’ access to materials and evidence, over the objections of city and state officials.
Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension Superintendent Drew Evans wrote last Thursday, January 8, that his agency has “reluctantly withdrawn” from the investigation after the FBI informed it of the decision.
“We expect the FBI to conduct a thorough and complete investigation and that the full investigative file will be shared with the appropriate prosecutorial authorities at both the state and federal levels,” Evans added.
Federal officials have said the ICE officer acted in self-defense and even described Good’s conduct as an act of “domestic terrorism."
The Department of Homeland Security accused Renee Good of trying to “weaponize” her vehicle against the ICE officer.
The state authorities have consistently countered the claim, saying that Renee was only trying to leave the scene.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem had even accused state authorities of inciting people to attack ICE officials.
Today, in an act of domestic terrorism, an anti-ICE rioter weaponized her vehicle against law enforcement. Our officer relied on his training and saved his own life, as well as the lives of his fellow officers.
— Homeland Security (@DHSgov) January 8, 2026
Sanctuary politicians have created an environment that encourages… pic.twitter.com/OGZUkdbr3R
Prosecutors resign amid internal tensions
The department’s decision not to pursue a criminal rights investigation has coincided with a wave of departures by federal prosecutors in Minnesota.
According to reports, at least six federal prosecutors in the US attorney’s office in Minneapolis relinquished their posts, including Joe Thompson, who previously led major fraud prosecutions in the state.
Reports suggest that the prosecutors were reportedly disturbed by decisions to block local authorities from the investigation and to exclude the Civil Rights Division from examining the shooting.
Department officials have said some departures were part of previously planned early retirement arrangements.
Shooting sparked national debate
The action and the DOJ’s response have become a flashpoint in national debates about federal immigration enforcement and use of force by law enforcement agents.
Video of Good’s death, which spread widely online, drew widespread outrage and prompted protests in Minneapolis and other cities across the US.
Tens of thousands of demonstrators have rallied against the federal government’s actions, criticizing how the incident has been framed and investigated.
