Vice President JD Vance sharply criticized Democrats on Thursday after a fatal encounter between an ICE agent and a woman in Minneapolis, labeling the woman a “deranged leftist” while defending the officer involved in the shooting.
The comments came a day after 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good was shot and killed as federal immigration agents approached her vehicle during an enforcement operation in the city. Video of the incident, which has circulated widely online, shows a tense and fast-moving encounter that has quickly become the focus of a heated national debate.
Footage capturing the full exchange shows Good blocking the roadway as agents attempted to continue their immigration enforcement. As one agent reached for the driver’s side door handle, Good first put her car in reverse. Moments later, she accelerated and turned to the right, narrowly missing one of the agents standing nearby. As she drove past him, that agent immediately fired multiple shots, killing her.
Interpretations of the video have largely fallen along partisan lines. Critics on the left argue the footage shows Good attempting to leave the scene, while those on the right contend her actions amounted to an attempt to run down federal officers. The disagreement has fueled broader arguments over the role of ICE, the use of force by law enforcement, and the political response to the shooting.
Vance weighed in after responding to a post from Tim Pool, who shared another angle of the incident on social media. In his response, the vice president accused Democrats of undermining law enforcement and failing to support officers acting in dangerous situations.
“Every congressional democrat and every democrat who’s running for president should be asked a simple question,” Vance wrote. “Do you think this officer was wrong in defending his life against a deranged leftist who tried to run him over?”
Vance went on to accuse Democrats of seeking to punish officers for doing their jobs, warning that political pressure could be used to arrest law enforcement officials involved in split-second, life-or-death decisions. He also criticized the media, saying reporters should press Democratic leaders to clarify whether they support prosecuting officers who claim they acted in self-defense.
“These people are going to try to arrest our law enforcement for doing their jobs,” Vance said. “The least the media could do is ask them about it.”
The shooting also sparked a fiery response at the local level. In a press conference held shortly after the incident, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey lashed out at ICE, demanding the agency “get the f*ck out” of the city. Frey vowed that everyone involved in the incident would receive justice, signaling a confrontational stance toward federal immigration authorities.
The clash between federal officials, local leaders, and national political figures underscores the deep divisions surrounding immigration enforcement and policing. While Democrats and progressive activists have rallied around criticism of ICE, Vance’s comments reflect a forceful defense of law enforcement and a broader pushback against what Republicans see as reflexive attacks on officers facing violent or dangerous situations.
As the video continues to circulate and reactions pour in, the Minneapolis shooting remains a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over immigration policy, public safety, and political accountability.
[READ MORE: Trump Proposes Record $1.5 Trillion Defense Budget for 2027 to Fund ‘Dream Military’]
