Ilhan Omar calls ICE shooting of woman in Minneapolis 'murder' caused by 'state-sanctioned violence'

Ilhan Omar also denounced what she called 'ridiculous raids' that produced few arrests and unsettled peaceful neighborhoods
PUBLISHED JAN 8, 2026
Rep Ilhan Omar condemned the fatal shooting of a woman by an ICE agent in Minneapolis (Getty Images)
Rep Ilhan Omar condemned the fatal shooting of a woman by an ICE agent in Minneapolis (Getty Images)

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”.



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. ”

A notice reading
A notice reading 'RIP Renee, murdered by ICE' seen next to a memorial for Renee Nicole Good on January 07, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minnesota (Scott Olson/Getty Images)

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.”

A bullet hole is seen on the windshield of a vehicle at the scene of a shooting in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026. (Ben Hovland /Minnesota Public Radio via AP)
A bullet hole is seen on the windshield of a vehicle at the scene of a shooting in Minneapolis on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2026 (Ben Hovland /Minnesota Public Radio via AP)

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.”



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.”



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.”



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.

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.

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