US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem is facing a storm of criticism after she inadvertently disclosed the identity of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer who fatally shot a protester in Minneapolis.
The Unintentional Revelation
During a discussion about the incident, Noem described how the officer in question had previously been rammed by a car and dragged by an anti-ICE rioter in June. This specific detail allowed journalists and social media users to cross-reference recent cases, quickly leading them to a court filing that identified the officer as Jonathan Ross.
The disclosure has been labelled a severe case of accidental doxing. Critics were swift to highlight the profound irony, noting that Noem has spent the past year repeatedly condemning journalists and the public for allegedly doxing her and other department officials, citing constant threats to their safety.
Backlash from Within and Without
The backlash has come from both outside the agency and from within Noem's own department. A Department of Homeland Security (DHS) official told the Daily Mail that the revelation undermined their own security protocols. 'We keep arguing we have ICE officers wear face masks and that their identity needs to be protected because of concerns about doxing and personal attacks, and yet she’s more than willing to go out and identify this officer,' the official said.
The fatal shooting occurred on Wednesday in Minneapolis when Ross, a 43-year-old father-of-two, opened fire on protester Renee Nicole Good, 37, as she drove an SUV that was blocking a residential street during demonstrations against an ICE operation. Following Noem's comments, Ross's identity circulated widely on social media and in mainstream reports, forcing him and his family to leave their suburban Minneapolis home and go into hiding.
A Pattern of Controversy
This incident is not Noem's first clash over privacy and security. Over the summer, she accused the Daily Mail of endangering her life by reporting that she and her senior adviser, Corey Lewandowski, were living near each other in Washington, DC. She claimed this exposure forced her to move into secure quarters.
Former officials have lambasted Noem's handling of the ICE officer's identity. One labelled her actions as 'dangerous', attributing it to her lack of experience. 'Everything's like a reality TV show for her,' a former senior official remarked. 'It's dangerous because now this is going to place this officer and his family at risk.'
Another pointed out that even before Noem's disclosure, the public had begun trying to track down the officer, creating 'wanted' posters. The official stated this was 'unhinged' behaviour with the sole purpose of identifying and targeting him.
The Department of Homeland Security has not yet responded to requests for comment on the matter.
