White House Border Security Czar Tom Homan publicly defended the actions of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent involved in the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis, saying the officer reasonably believed he was in imminent danger and acted within the bounds of federal and state law.

In a Sunday interview on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” Homan explained that the officer’s perception of threat was central to assessing the shooting. “You have a vehicle that is pointed toward him and accelerates toward him … and I truly believe … that in his mind, he feared for his life, and he took appropriate action — and according to federal law, that’s a legitimate response,” Homan said. He also noted that Minnesota state law recognizes a person’s right to defend themselves if they reasonably believe they face imminent harm from a vehicle threat.

Homan urged the public and media to withhold final judgment until the ongoing investigation is completed, emphasizing that body-worn camera footage and other evidence still must be reviewed by authorities. He condemned what he described as “hateful rhetoric” against ICE and federal agents that, in his view, has contributed to escalating hostility toward law enforcement. “Saying this officer is a murderer … it’s going to infuriate people more,” Homan said, urging more cautious public commentary.

The shooting occurred on January 7, 2026, when Jonathan Ross, a long-serving ICE Enforcement and Removal Operations officer, opened fire on Good after she reportedly maneuvered her SUV toward him during a federal enforcement operation in south Minneapolis. The incident has sparked nationwide protests and intense debate over the scope and tactics of federal immigration enforcement operations. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem has also defended the agent’s actions, describing the vehicle threat as potentially lethal and framing the encounter as an act of unlawful obstruction against federal officers. 

Minnesota officials have contested key parts of the federal narrative, calling for transparent investigation and state involvement in the review process. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Governor Tim Walz have publicly challenged the justification, pointing to available video that they say contradicts the self-defense claim. They have also criticized federal exclusion of state investigators from the case, further complicating public trust in the inquiry. 

In his remarks, Homan framed the debate over the shooting within the broader context of rising attacks and threats against immigration officers, asserting that federal agents face significant dangers while enforcing U.S. law. His defense of Ross’s actions aligns with statements from the Trump Administration’s senior leadership, which has repeatedly emphasized that federal law allows lethal force when officers reasonably believe they are in imminent danger. The incident has prompted ongoing national discussion about law enforcement protocols, legal standards for use of force, and the heightened tensions surrounding immigration policy and federal operations in major U.S. cities.