Joy Behar raises 'dictatorship' fears after ICE shooting: 'Are we in fascist America?'

'The View’ host also discussed the Venezuela strike that led to the capture of Nicolas Maduro
PUBLISHED JAN 9, 2026
Joy Behar referenced multiple events that have sparked national concern, including the shooting by an ICE agent that claimed the life of a Minneapolis woman (@MarcoFoster/X)
Joy Behar referenced multiple events that have sparked national concern, including the shooting by an ICE agent that claimed the life of a Minneapolis woman (@MarcoFoster/X)


NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK: 'The View' host Joy Behar reacted strongly as the nation finds itself in a volatile moment following a series of political decisions taken by the Donald Trump administration. 

These moves have sparked widespread debate and raised serious concerns.  Behar emerged as one of the most vocal critics of the current developments. On 'The View,' the host urged 'Americans' to recognize what she described as a growing threat of 'dictatorship.' 

The morning episode opened with a tense discussion surrounding the incident in which an immigration agent shot a woman in Minneapolis. During the conversation, Behar questioned whether citizens are now living in the 'middle of fascist America.'

NEW YORK, NY - MAY 08:  Joy Behar at Family Equality Council's'The View' host Joy Behar talks about the current incidents that have shaken the nation including the recent shooting of a 37-year-old woman by an ICE agent in Minneapolis (Getty Images)

'The View' host Jay Behar warns of growing threat to democracy

The ladies of 'The View' held a serious discussion about recent incidents that have unsettled the nation. The conversation centered on decisions and events that, in their view, signal a troubling shift in governance. Behar laid out her concerns by pointing to a series of developments that had occurred over just one week.

“Just this last week, I’m just going to give you a summary of what we’ve been through (in) one week, Pete Hegseth started an illegal war for oil in Venezuela, Stephen Miller threatened a military takeover of Greenland, RFK Jr slashed childhood recommendations, and ICE shot and killed a United States citizen in Minneapolis,” Behar listed. “That sort of adds up to me like a dictatorship in the making.”

The hosts of The View discussed the killing of Renee Nicole Good during the show (@TheView/X)
The hosts of The View discussed the killing of Renee Nicole Good during the show (@TheView/X)

Whoopi Goldberg quickly reacted to the statement. “We’re in it, baby,” she said, focusing on the gravity of the moment. Her comment led Behar to encourage the audience to pay closer attention to what is unfolding under the Trump administration.

“We are now in it. We are in it now,” Behar continued. “American people, I think, have to wake up to this a little bit more than we are. We try very hard to give you what we know, but people have to start reading and watching and paying attention a little bit more than we have.”

ICE agent killing sparks protests and political backlash



Joy Behar referenced the incident involving an ICE agent to underline why she believes the country is facing a serious moment of reckoning. The shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good on Wednesday, January 8, quickly ignited national outrage, with protests spreading beyond Minneapolis to cities such as New York, where citizens organized 'emergency rallies.' 

The case drew sharp political responses, including statements from Trump, who claimed on Truth Social that the agent acted in 'self-defense' and was hospitalized but 'doing well.' Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem supported that account, saying Good attempted to run over the agent with her SUV, prompting him to fire three shots. 

However, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey disputed those claims, citing video evidence that he said does not show the officer being struck, and accused the agent of acting 'recklessly.' Minnesota Governor Tim Walz also condemned the incident, calling it horrifying and criticizing the agent for contaminating the 'crime scene.'

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