An FBI agent has resigned in light of the investigation surrounding the fatal shooting of Renee Good by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer Jonathan Ross. This decision comes amidst concerns from various quarters regarding the investigation’s direction, which has reportedly been increasingly focused on Good and her partner, rather than on the actions of the officer involved in the shooting.
Renee Good, 37, lost her life on January 7 when she was shot while seated in her SUV. The incident triggered widespread protests against the operations of federal immigration officers. Following the shooting, the FBI initiated an investigation that typically involves local officials; however, the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension stated it had been excluded from this inquiry.
The resignation of the FBI agent, a supervisor from the Minneapolis field office, adds to the recent wave of resignations from six prosecutors within the U.S. attorney’s office in Minnesota. These prosecutors voiced their discontent over the investigation’s evolving focus, highlighting a shift towards examining Good’s partner and whether she obstructed federal officials prior to the shooting, rather than scrutinizing the actions of officer Ross.
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche indicated that there was “currently no basis” for investigating Ross through the Civil Rights Division. In light of the situation, Minnesota’s Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey have both called for the cessation of federal immigration operations in the state. They, along with other local leaders, have become targets of a Justice Department investigation regarding allegations of conspiracy to obstruct federal immigration agents, a claim Walz has labeled as politically motivated, while Frey has denounced it as an intimidation tactic.
Furthermore, recent court decisions in Minnesota have seen judges reject motions from the Trump administration to detain protesters who were arrested during demonstrations at a St. Paul church. A federal magistrate found insufficient evidence for charging two individuals under the FACE Act, which includes provisions aimed at protecting houses of worship.
The ongoing developments surrounding this tragic incident and the reaction on the ground reflect the high tensions concerning immigration enforcement and civil rights in Minnesota. The situation continues to evolve, indicating a strong community response against federal immigration policies and practices.