At a Glance
- President Donald Trump defended ICE after the Jan. 7 shooting death of Renee Nicole Good.
- He cited mistakes, agitators, and called for the removal of ICE officers from Minneapolis.
- The briefing also covered the economy, Greenland plans, and the one-year anniversary of his second inauguration.
Why it matters: The comments show how the administration is framing immigration enforcement amid growing unrest in Minnesota.
President Donald Trump spoke to reporters for nearly an hour on Jan. 20, joined by White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. The briefing was marked by a printed list of “365 wins” from his first 365 days in office, a reminder of his administration’s self-claimed record. Most of the president’s talking points focused on hot-button issues: the economy, plans to take over Greenland, and ongoing unrest in Minneapolis.
The White House Briefing
The session began with a review of the 365-day tally, a list that the president’s staff presented to the press as evidence of progress. After the handout, Trump shifted to current concerns. He spoke about the U.S. economy, noting job growth and tax cuts, before turning to foreign policy. His comments about Greenland were brief, emphasizing a desire to assert U.S. influence in the Arctic. The most intense portion of the briefing, however, was the discussion of the Jan. 7 shooting in Minneapolis.
The Jan. 7 Shooting and ICE
The death of Renee Nicole Good on Jan. 7 sparked protests across the city and drew calls from Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey to remove Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers from Minneapolis. Trump was quick to defend ICE, saying, “They’re gonna make mistakes sometimes,” and adding, “ICE is gonna be too rough with somebody or-you know, they’re dealing with rough people. They’re gonna make a mistake sometimes. It can happen.” He described the incident as “just happens,” and expressed personal sorrow, saying, “We feel terrible. I felt horribly when I was told that the young woman had the tragedy.” Trump noted that Good’s father was a “tremendous Trump fan,” which he used to underscore the tragedy’s impact on his base.
The president also mentioned that “professional agitators” were present at the scene. “When she was shot, there was another woman that was screaming, ‘Shame. Shame. Shame. Shame.’ So loud. Like a professional opera singer,” he said. “She was so loud. And so professional. She wasn’t a woman that was hurt like, ‘Oh my heart is injured.’ She was a professional.” Trump implied that these agitators were part of a larger pattern of unrest.
Trump’s Earlier Statements
On Jan. 13, in a CBS Evening News interview with Tony Dokoupil, Trump revisited the Good story. He said, “I would bet you that she, under normal circumstances, was a very solid, wonderful person. But, you know, her actions were pretty tough.” He also referenced cell-phone footage that had been released, noting, “When you look at that tape, it- it can be viewed two ways, I guess,” and adding, “But when you look at the way… that car was pulled away, there are a couple versions of that tape that are very, very bad.”
A few days later, on Jan. 15, Trump posted on Truth Social a threat to invoke the Insurrection Act in Minneapolis. He wrote, “If the corrupt politicians of Minnesota don’t obey the law and stop the professional agitators and insurrectionists from attacking the Patriots of I.C.E., who are only trying to do their job, I will institute the INSURRECTION ACT, which many Presidents have done before me, and quickly put an end to the travesty that is taking place in that once great State.” The post reflected the administration’s willingness to use federal force amid escalating tensions.
Talking Points and Other Issues
During the briefing, Trump also touched on:
- The economy – job growth, tax policy, and inflation concerns.
- Greenland – plans to assert U.S. presence in the Arctic.
- Minneapolis unrest – the role of ICE, agitators, and potential federal intervention.
Timeline of Key Events
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Jan. 7 | Shooting death of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis |
| Jan. 13 | Trump discusses Good on CBS Evening News |
| Jan. 15 | Trump threatens to invoke the Insurrection Act on Truth Social |
| Jan. 20 | White House briefing where Trump defends ICE and discusses other topics |
Key Takeaways
- Trump’s defense of ICE comes amid calls to remove the agency from Minneapolis.
- The administration frames the incident as a mistake and part of broader unrest.
- Trump’s rhetoric includes threats to use the Insurrection Act, signaling a willingness to deploy federal power.
