Fact Check: Has FBI decided to open civil rights probe into ICE agent who shot Renee Nicole Good?
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed on Sunday, January 18, that a routine review of the conduct of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent, Jonathan Ross, who fatally shot Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis, is underway. She said Ross has been put on a three-day administrative leave following the shooting.
Recently, a rumor surfaced online claiming that the FBI has decided to open a civil rights probe into Jonathan Ross for the shooting of Renee Good. But is there any truth to this rumor? Let us ascertain the claim.
Claim: FBI to open civil rights probe into Jonathan Ross
Chief White House Correspondent for The New York Times and MS NOW analyst, Peter Baker, shared a post on X that read, "An FBI agent conducted an initial review of the Renee Good killing and determined sufficient grounds existed to open a civil rights probe into the actions of the ICE officer who shot her. Justice Department says no investigation is warranted. @PerryStein."
An FBI agent conducted an initial review of the Renee Good killing and determined sufficient grounds existed to open a civil rights probe into the actions of the ICE officer who shot her. Justice Department says no investigation is warranted. @PerryStein https://t.co/kObDTjMgKf
— Peter Baker (@peterbakernyt) January 19, 2026
He also linked an article from the Washington Post with the headline, 'FBI opened probe on Minneapolis shooting; none exists now, Justice dept says'. The rumor was further spread across X by other users.
Statute of limitations will never run out on this. Eventually, he will be held accountable. https://t.co/wZ3cU8Z9SB
— Judy Wasteneys (@JudyWasteneys) January 19, 2026
An X user shared Baker's post and wrote, "Statute of limitations will never run out on this. Eventually, he will be held accountable."
Fact check: FBI debunks viral post on Jonathan Ross
The online claims on social media are false, as the FBI said in a post that the decisions referenced by Baker were not made by the FBI.
The FBI shared the X post and wrote, "This is false - the decisions referenced here were not made by the FBI. The FBI still continues to pursue evidence in this case with our federal partners, investigating the shooting incident as well as the ongoing violent criminal actors and their funding sources."
"The facts are the initiator, and the facts do not support civil rights investigation," the FBI added.
This is false - the decisions referenced here were not made by the FBI.
— FBI Rapid Response (@FBI_Response) January 19, 2026
The FBI still continues to pursue evidence in this case with our federal partners, investigating the shooting incident as well as the ongoing violent criminal actors and their funding sources.
The facts… https://t.co/uOilpKgrLr
During an interview with CBS News' 'Face the Nation', Kristi Noem said that Jonathan Ross underwent the 'exact same' investigative and review process that has been in place for years within the agency.
She referred to the Biden administration and said, "The exact same policy that the Biden administration used, the exact same review, so we haven’t changed any of that."
Further in the interview, she mentioned, "Every law enforcement officer knows that when they take the oath to step up and to protect the public and put their lives on the line, they absolutely know that everything that they do will be analyzed and investigated."