Former US President Donald Trump has offered a mixed assessment of Renee Good, a woman fatally shot by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent, describing her as likely a "wonderful person" while labelling her actions as "pretty tough". The comments were made during a televised interview on Tuesday, 14 January 2026.
Trump's Remarks on Fatal Shooting and Foreign Policy
Speaking to Tony Dokoupil on the CBS Evening News, Trump addressed the controversial incident involving Renee Good. He suggested that while Good was probably a wonderful individual, her behaviour during the encounter was notably severe. The interview took place on Tuesday, 14 January 2026, and has since sparked further debate over the use of force by federal agents.
Trump also issued a stark warning to officials in Iran concerning the reported killing of thousands of anti-government protesters. He stated unequivocally that such actions "will not work out good" for the Iranian leadership, signalling a hardline stance should he return to office.
Scathing Criticism of Federal Reserve and Powell
In a significant diversion to economic matters, Trump launched a fierce attack on Jerome Powell, the Chair of the Federal Reserve. His criticism centred on the multi-billion dollar renovation project of the Fed's headquarters. Trump declared Powell to be "either corrupt or incompetent" over the handling of the costly refurbishment, reigniting his long-standing feud with the independent central bank.
Boasting of Economic Record Despite Data
Despite recent Consumer Price Index figures indicating a slight acceleration in inflation, Trump used the interview to vigorously praise the state of the US economy. He claimed it is the strongest in the country's history, boasting of low inflation and booming growth.
This optimistic narrative was echoed earlier on Tuesday during a speech to the Detroit Economic Club, where Trump asserted he had "defeated" inflation and touted the economic performance under his previous administration.
Key Points from the Interview
The wide-ranging discussion covered several critical topics:
- Renee Good: Trump characterised the slain woman as a "wonderful person" but said her actions were "pretty tough".
- Jerome Powell: The Fed Chair was accused of being "either corrupt or incompetent" over headquarters renovation costs.
- Iran: A direct warning was issued over the crackdown on protesters.
- US Economy: Trump claimed historic strength, contradicting recent inflation data.
The interview underscores the former president's ongoing influence on political discourse and his readiness to comment on sensitive domestic and international issues as the 2026 political landscape takes shape.
