The fatal shooting of a mother by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minneapolis has ignited a firestorm of controversy, with the muted response from many high-profile liberal celebrities drawing particular scrutiny.
A Contentious Fatal Encounter
On January 7, 37-year-old poet and mother Renee Nicole Good was shot and killed by ICE agents. The incident occurred as she attempted to drive away from agents who had stopped her vehicle. The circumstances remain fiercely disputed. ICE officials claim Good was trying to run down an agent, a narrative strongly rejected by Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and others who view her death as an unjustified killing.
Former President Donald Trump called the event 'a horrible thing to watch' but defended ICE, suggesting Good was a 'professional agitator'. This characterisation has been widely condemned by left-wing advocates, who have swiftly adopted the case as a key anti-ICE talking point.
Selective Celebrity Outrage Under the Microscope
The public reaction from Hollywood and the entertainment industry has been notably sparse, especially when compared to the overwhelming celebrity-led response following the murder of George Floyd in the same city just over five years ago. While figures like The Rock, Oprah Winfrey, Ariana Grande, Taylor Swift, and Billie Eilish have remained silent, a handful of outspoken stars have used their platforms.
Eva Longoria was unequivocal, posting on her Instagram story and captioning a video of the incident, 'This is murder.' She demanded the arrest of the shooter and reposted a statement accusing ICE of murdering a woman who was witnessing an assault on her immigrant neighbours.
Amanda Seyfried reposted Mayor Frey's expletive-laden demand for ICE to leave Minneapolis, followed by a pointed quote from George Orwell's 1984: 'The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears.'
Voices of Condemnation and Calls to Abolish ICE
Simu Liu, the Marvel actor, took to X to express his outrage, writing he was 'beyond appalled' and urging people not to be manipulated by rhetoric. 'Immigration laws can be enforced in a dignified way. F*** ICE forever,' he stated.
Actress and activist Cynthia Nixon shared footage of the shooting with the caption 'Abolish ICE,' and called for the arrest of all agents involved, including those who allegedly blocked medical care for Good. Harrowing witness accounts suggest an onlooker who identified as a doctor was told 'I don't care' by agents when he tried to help.
Ayo Edebiri of The Bear posted a poignant image of Good's glove compartment, filled with toys, serving as a stark reminder that the victim was a mother of three. Other notable figures speaking out included Mark Ruffalo, Chrissy Teigen, and Sophia Bush.
Political Fallout and Escalating Tensions
The incident has sharply escalated political tensions. The Trump administration has stood firmly behind the agents, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stating the president remains 'fully' supportive of ICE and blaming a 'sinister left-wing movement' for attacks on law enforcement. Vice President JD Vance called Good's death 'a tragedy of her own making.'
As investigations continue and the video evidence circulates, the debate over immigration enforcement tactics and the perceived selective activism of cultural influencers shows no sign of abating. The silence of many who previously championed social justice causes has become a contentious story in itself.
