US Vice President JD Vance has sparked outrage by blaming a woman shot dead by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent for her own death, making a series of unsubstantiated claims about her character and motives.
Vance's "Turn Down the Temperature" Press Conference Backfires
Speaking at a last-minute White House press conference on 8 January 2026, Vance said he wished to "turn down the temperature" following the tragic shooting of 37-year-old mother-of-three Renee Good in Minneapolis. However, he proceeded to deliver a jaw-dropping monologue that undermined the victim's reputation.
Vance accused Good of deliberately trying to run over the ICE agent, whom he claimed acted in self-defence. He stated her death was a "tragedy of her own making". This echoed claims from former President Donald Trump that the shooter had been injured, despite video evidence showing the agent walking around the scene before driving away.
Unsubstantiated Claims of Radicalisation
Without providing evidence, the Vice President went further, alleging Good was part of a "radical left network" attempting to obstruct ICE operations. He claimed she was a "victim of left-wing ideology" who had been "brainwashed" and "radicalised."
These assertions stand in stark contrast to information from local sources, which indicate Good had just dropped her child at school and was heading home. Her ex-husband also stated she had no history of activism.
"What young mother shows up and decides they are going to throw their car in front of ICE Officers enforcing legitimate law?" Vance asked reporters. "You have to be a little bit brainwashed to get to that point."
Contradictions with Video Evidence and Investigation Concerns
When challenged on how his version aligned with video footage that suggests Good was trying to drive around and away from the agent when she was shot, Vance dismissed it. He argued that looking at "all angles" showed her vehicle went "right for the guy."
However, available footage indicates the car's rapid acceleration occurred after she was first shot in the head. The agent fired twice more through the side window as the vehicle moved past him.
Vance also berated the media for not reporting that the unnamed agent had supposedly been hit by cars on two prior occasions—a claim that cannot be verified. He showed no concern about prejudicing the ongoing inquiry, stating, "What you see is what you get in this case." He concluded by saying the alleged shooter "deserves a debt of gratitude."
In a related development, the Homeland Security Secretary confirmed that local Minnesota authorities will have no role in investigating the shooting, citing a lack of jurisdiction. The probe will be handled solely by the FBI, which is led by Trump appointee Kash Patel.
