US Vice President JD Vance has sparked outrage by launching an extraordinary attack on a woman shot dead by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent, blaming her for her own death and making unsubstantiated claims about her being 'radicalised'.
Vance's 'Turn Down the Temperature' Remark Precedes Attack
The incident occurred in Minneapolis on 8 January 2026, when 37-year-old mother-of-three Renee Good was fatally shot by an ICE officer. At a hastily arranged White House press conference, Vice President Vance began by stating a desire to 'turn down the temperature' surrounding the tragedy.
He then proceeded to do the opposite, presenting a version of events starkly at odds with available evidence. Vance accused Ms Good of deliberately trying to run over the agent, claiming the officer acted in self-defence and that her death was a 'tragedy of her own making'.
Unsubstantiated Claims and Contradictory Evidence
Without providing any proof, Vance asserted that Renee Good was part of a 'radical left network' attempting to obstruct ICE operations. He labelled her a 'victim of left-wing ideology' who had been 'brainwashed' and 'radicalised'.
These claims were directly challenged by local sources and Ms Good's family. Her ex-husband stated she had no history of activism, and neighbours reported she had just dropped her child at school and was heading home.
Video footage of the incident, cited by multiple observers, appears to contradict the Vice President's narrative. It indicates Ms Good was attempting to drive around and away from the agent when he opened fire. The vehicle's rapid acceleration, which Vance cited as evidence of intent, is seen in footage to have occurred after she was first shot in the head.
Defiance and a Gratitude for the Shooter
When questioned on whether his comments could prejudice the nascent investigation, Vance stated he was not concerned. 'What you see is what you get in this case,' he claimed, despite his account being disputed by almost all parties outside the Trump administration.
In a further controversial statement, Vance said the unnamed ICE agent, who he claimed had been hit by cars on two previous unverifiable occasions, 'deserves a debt of gratitude'. He also criticised the media for portraying Ms Good as an 'innocent woman'.
The investigation into the shooting will be led solely by the FBI under Trump appointee Kash Patel, after the Homeland Security Secretary declared that Minnesota authorities 'don't have any jurisdiction' in the case.
