Ilhan Omar calls ICE shooting of woman in Minneapolis 'murder' caused by 'state-sanctioned violence'
MINNEAPOLIS: Rep Ilhan Omar condemned the fatal ICE shooting of a woman in Minneapolis, calling it a “murder” that stemmed from what she described as “state-sanctioned violence” carried out by federal agents.
Speaking on CNN, Omar said the killing was the direct result of ICE operations that have “terrorized” communities across Minnesota.
Omar went on to accuse Trump of trying to distort facts, calling him “delusional”.
Rep. Ilhan Omar: "We've all seen the video... you can see, no ice agent falls to the ground, no one is run over. So to rewrite something that is still so visibly available, on all, everywhere that people can see just shows how disturbingly delusional our president has become." pic.twitter.com/jtxFu2z154
— The Lead CNN (@TheLeadCNN) January 8, 2026
Ilhan Omar directly blames ICE for 'murder'
Appearing on CNN’s 'The Lead' with Jake Tapper, Omar reacted to the shooting amid mounting protests and outrage in Minneapolis.
Tapper noted that Omar had identified the victim, Renee Good, as a legal observer and asked what more was known about her role.
Omar said, “Yeah, that’s the information that we have gotten. There might be new information coming out. But it is a completely tragic day for us here in Minneapolis and in Minnesota.”
She added that the incident reflected a broader pattern of fear caused by federal immigration enforcement, saying, “To see this kind of terrorizing of our community really is harmful.”
Omar said she was praying “for the loved ones of Renee today as they are dealing with the loss of life in their family. ”
Omar went further, directly blaming ICE’s conduct for the fatal outcome.
“ICE has been carrying out state-sanctioned violence in our communities,” she said. “We have seen them terrorize so many citizens in the Fifth District and across Minnesota. And that has tragically led to this murder that we all watched on TV.”
She criticized what she called “ridiculous raids” that were “not resulting in any sort of arrests” and offered “no explanation of why they are there,” adding that agents were “disturbing peaceful communities that are just trying to live.”
Ilhan Omar’s posts echo condemnation, draw flak
Omar reinforced her criticism in multiple posts on X as the situation unfolded.
In an initial message, she wrote, “I’m following news of a reported shooting of a legal observer by ICE agents in South Minneapolis. I’ll continue to monitor the situation closely and will update as soon as I receive information. ICE must stop terrorizing our communities and leave our city.”
I’m following news of a reported shooting of a legal observer by ICE agents in South Minneapolis.
— Rep. Ilhan Omar (@Ilhan) January 7, 2026
I’ll continue to monitor the situation closely and will update as soon as I receive information.
ICE must stop terrorizing our communities and leave our city.
Later, in a more forceful statement, Omar said, “ICE’s actions today were unconscionable and reprehensible. I am beyond outraged that their reckless, callous actions led to the killing of a legal observer in Minneapolis.”
She added that her “heart breaks for the victim’s family,” accusing the Trump administration of “reckless and deadly actions.”
ICE’s actions today were unconscionable and reprehensible. I am beyond outraged that their reckless, callous actions led to the killing of a legal observer in Minneapolis. My heart breaks for the victim’s family, who will have to forever live with the pain caused by the Trump…
— Rep. Ilhan Omar (@Ilhan) January 7, 2026
Omar argued that ICE’s ongoing “Operation Metro Surge” had “spread fear, chaos, and violence across our state,” and concluded, “This is not law enforcement. It is state violence. It is simply indefensible, and ICE must be held accountable.”
You left out the part where she ran into the ICE officer with her car.pic.twitter.com/Piq1am81mh
— Paul A. Szypula 🇺🇸 (@Bubblebathgirl) January 7, 2026
Omar's social media posts quickly drew flak as various social media users accused her of ignoring the video evidence against the killed, Renne Nicole Good.
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