Another IL Legislator Calls For Impeachment Of DHS Secretary After Fatal ICE Shooting In Minneapolis

WASHINGTON, D.C. — On Friday, U.S. Congressman Sean Casten (IL-06) called for impeachment proceedings against Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem after a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent shot and killed a woman in Minneapolis on Wednesday.

Rep. Casten is the second Illinois legislator who's said he's seeking to impeach Noem, following Rep. Robin Kelly on Thursday. Casten represents Illinois' 6th Congressional district; Kelly represents the 2nd.

“Under Kristi Noem’s failed leadership, the Department of Homeland Security has sanctioned the murder and baseless arrest of American citizens, endangered communities throughout Illinois and the United States, subjected human beings to shockingly inhumane conditions in the name of racism and xenophobia, and denied due process to citizens and non-citizens alike," Casten said Friday in a statement.

“The murder of Renee Good is a tragic episode in a story of harm and destruction orchestrated by Secretary Noem and ICE that must not be tolerated anywhere.

“I support immediate Congressional action up to and including impeachment proceedings, but that alone is insufficient. The entire chain of command who have enabled a culture of murder must face justice.”

Renee Nicole Good, 37, was fatally shot by an ICE officer in Minneapolis Wednesday, an encounter that has sparked outrage from both sides of the political spectrum.

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The U.S. Department of Homeland Security said that ICE officers were conducting targeted operations near East 34th Street and Portland Avenue when individuals began blocking officers. DHS alleged a woman used a vehicle in an attempt to strike ICE officers, prompting an ICE officer to fire what the agency described as defensive shots. DHS said the person was hit and later died.

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said claims that the shooting was an act of self-defense are false after reviewing video of the incident.

Several graphic videos of the shooting have been uploaded to social media.

DHS Secretary Kristi Noem described the woman’s actions as an act of domestic terrorism, Patch previously reported.

"It was an act of domestic terrorism," Noem said, as reported by Fox9 Minneapolis-St. Paul. "They were attempting to push out their vehicle and a woman attacked them and those surrounding them, and attempted to run them over and rammed them with her vehicle. An officer of ours acted quickly, and defensively shot to protect himself and the people around him. My understanding is she was hit, and is deceased. This goes to show the assaults that our ICE officers and law enforcement are under every single day. These vehicle rammings are domestic acts of terrorism. We will continue to protect our ICE officers."

President Donald Trump also then called it an act of self-defense.

"The woman driving the car was very disorderly, obstructing and resisting, who then violently, willfully, and viciously ran over the ICE Officer, who seems to have shot her in self-defense," President Donald Trump said in a statement.

On Thursday, Vice President J.D. Vance spoke on the shooting, saying "left-wing extremism" was to blame for Good's actions that led to her death. In a press briefing, he called the incident "classic terrorism," as reported by The Hill.

“What you see is what you get in this case,” Vance told reporters at the briefing, as reported by The Hill. “You have a woman who was trying to obstruct a legitimate law enforcement officer. Nobody debates that. You have a woman who aimed her car at a law enforcement officer and pressed on the accelerator. Nobody debates that.

“I can believe that her death is a tragedy while also recognizing that it’s a tragedy of her own making and a tragedy of the far left, who has marshaled an entire movement, a lunatic fringe against our law enforcement officers."

On Thursday, Rep. Casten spoke on the House floor. His speech is available online here.

Frey accused federal officials of lying about the shooting in south Minneapolis, saying he has viewed video that contradicts the federal government’s account.

"They are already trying to spin this as an action of self-defense. Having seen the video myself, I want to tell everybody directly, that is bull****," Frey said.

The fatal shooting triggered a joint investigation by the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) and the FBI. On Thursday, the state agency said federal authorities had reversed course, removing its top investigators had been removed from the investigation.

Federal officials decided the investigation would be led solely by the FBI, and the BCA would no longer be given access to case materials, physical evidence or investigative interviews. Without full access, Evans said the BCA could not meet Minnesota’s investigative standards or the expectations of the public.

"As a result, the BCA has reluctantly withdrawn from the investigation," Evans said.

A GoFundMe to support Good's wife and son has raised more than $1.5 million as of Friday morning. Its organizer on Friday said they have paused donations.

"Thank you for your generosity," the organizer wrote. "We’ve closed this GoFundMe and will place the funds in a trust for the family. If you’re looking to donate, we encourage you to support others in need. We’re truly grateful."

The organizer also included a statement from Good's wife, Becca, that had been shared with MPR News.

"This kindness of strangers is the most fitting tribute because if you ever encountered my wife, Renee Nicole Macklin Good, you know that above all else, she was kind. In fact, kindness radiated out of her," the statement reads, in part.

"Renee sparkled. She literally sparkled. I mean, she didn’t wear glitter but I swear she had sparkles coming out of her pores. All the time. You might think it was just my love talking but her family said the same thing. Renee was made of sunshine."

Good's wife said they had moved to Minneapolis "to make a better life for ourselves." Good leaves behind three children, her wife said, the youngest who is 6 years old.

"Our whole extended road trip here, we held hands in the car while our son drew all over the windows to pass the time and the miles," she said. "What we found when we got here was a vibrant and welcoming community, we made friends and spread joy. And while any place we were together was home, there was a strong shared sense here in Minneapolis that we were looking out for each other. Here, I had finally found peace and safe harbor. That has been taken from me forever."

"... On Wednesday, January 7th, we stopped to support our neighbors. We had whistles. They had guns."