Kristi Noem says ‘be factual,’ clashes with Jake Tapper over Minneapolis ICE shooting

WASHINGTON, DC: Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem clashed with CNN’s Jake Tapper on Sunday, January 11, during a tense interview over her remarks on the Minneapolis ICE shooting that left a woman dead.

The exchange unfolded on State of the Union as Tapper pressed Noem on her public defense of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer involved in the fatal shooting and her characterization of the incident as an act of domestic terrorism. Tapper questioned whether available video footage supported her conclusion or raised doubts about her account of what happened.

Kristi Noem defends ICE agent during Jake Tapper interview

Noem repeatedly defended the officer’s actions while pushing back against Tapper’s skepticism. The shooting involved Jonathan Ross, an ICE officer, who fatally shot 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good during a federal law enforcement operation in Minneapolis on January 7.

Noem stood by her assessment of the incident, arguing that Good used her vehicle as a weapon against federal officers. She labeled the act domestic terrorism and rejected suggestions that the woman may have been attempting to escape rather than attack.

“Everything that I’ve said has been proven to be factual,” Noem said during the interview. She added that she believed the public deserved clarity about what unfolded, stating that her department had reviewed the situation before making public statements.

According to Noem, Good accelerated her vehicle toward officers after blocking their path, leaving Ross with no option but to defend himself. She maintained that Ross fired only after being struck by the vehicle and that video evidence corroborated her claims.

Tapper challenged that framing, noting that early reports and video footage could also be interpreted as an attempt to flee. He questioned Noem’s decision to label Good a domestic terrorist so quickly, especially as investigations were still underway.

Noem rejected that suggestion outright, responding sharply that the facts were clear and not open to reinterpretation. She claimed that Good had blocked the road, yelled at officers, and interfered with a federal law enforcement operation before accelerating toward them.

FBI investigation into Minneapolis ICE shooting

The conversation turned to the ongoing federal investigation, with Tapper asking why Noem appeared so certain before the FBI completed its review. Noem responded that Ross was treated at a nearby hospital after being struck by the vehicle and was later released.

“The facts of the situation are that the vehicle was weaponized, and it attacked the law enforcement officer,” Noem said. She argued that using a vehicle in that manner met the definition of domestic terrorism.

“When something is weaponized to use against the public and law enforcement, that is an act of domestic terrorism," she added. “You don’t get to change the facts just because you don’t like them.”

The FBI has since taken charge of the investigation, and authorities continue to review video footage captured from multiple angles. The footage shows Good’s vehicle stopped in the roadway for more than three minutes, preventing officers from moving forward.

When officers exited their vehicle, Ross appeared positioned in front of Good’s SUV. Moments later, the vehicle accelerated. Ross moved out of the way and fired a shot through the windshield, followed by two additional shots toward the side of the vehicle.

Federal officials have said the review remains ongoing as they assess whether the use of force complied with agency policy.