Kristi Noem rebukes CBS anchor for naming ICE agent linked to Renee Good's shooting

WASHINGTON, DC: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem sharply scolded CBS anchor Margaret Brennan during a tense 'Face the Nation' interview on Sunday, January 18, after Brennan mentioned the name of the ICE agent who fatally shot Renee Good in Minneapolis earlier this month.

The confrontation erupted when Brennan referred to Jonathan Ross, the Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer identified in multiple media reports as the agent who shot Good on January 7.

“Let me talk to you about the officer, Jonathan Ross,” Brennan said, beginning a question about the agent’s condition. “He was struck, he was hospitalized”

“Don’t say his name!” Noem cut in. “For heaven’s sakes, we shouldn’t have people continue to dox law enforcement when they have an 8,000% increase in death threats against them.”

Questions over duty status and suspension

Brennan responded that the agent’s name was already public. Noem acknowledged that but insisted it should not be repeated, saying Ross and his family had been put at risk.

“That doesn’t mean it should continue to be said,” Noem said. “People have attacked him and his family, and they are in jeopardy. We have law enforcement officers every day who are getting death threats and being attacked at their hotels.”

Brennan stressed that no one condones violence and pivoted to questions about the agent’s status following the shooting.

“CBS reported that he did have internal bleeding in the torso, but he was released that same day,” Brennan said. “So is he back at work? Did you give him the required three days of suspension?”

Noem declined to discuss medical details and avoided directly answering whether the agent was placed on administrative leave.

“We followed the exact same protocols that we always have for years as to investigations into these situations,” Noem said. “But I’m not going to talk about his medical records.”

Brennan pressed further, saying she was asking about policy, not personal health information.

Kristi Noem acknowledges investigation after pressure

The exchange grew sharper when Brennan cited comments from Minnesota Gov Tim Walz, who had said the only person not being investigated in connection with Good’s death was the federal agent who shot her.

“I asked you if you had put him on administrative leave,” Brennan said. “Is the governor correct that the federal agent is not being investigated in any way?”

Noem rejected that claim, saying DHS and ICE were following the same investigative and review process used under prior administrations, including former President Joe Biden’s.

After several carefully worded responses, Noem made it clear that the agent’s actions were, in fact, subject to review.

“So there is some review of his actions, is what I understand you saying there,” Brennan said.

“There always is,” Noem replied. “Every law enforcement officer knows that. When they take the oath to protect the public and put their lives on the line, they know that everything they do will be analyzed and investigated.”