Billionaire hedge fund manager Bill Ackman has publicly defended his decision to donate $10,000 to a fundraiser for an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent involved in a fatal shooting in Minneapolis.
Ackman's Public Defence on Social Media
The founder of Pershing Square Capital Management took to X to explain his donation to a GoFundMe campaign for agent Jonathan Ross. Ross was captured on camera last week firing his weapon at 37-year-old mother-of-three Renee Good as she drove away. Ackman was listed as the top donor to Ross's defence fund.
In a lengthy post, Ackman claimed he has been "widely reviled (and worse)" on social and mainstream media for his support. He accused some press of characterising his act as "giving a reward to the murderer of Renee Good," suggesting this was done to generate clicks or advance political objectives.
Ackman insisted his purpose was not political. He stated he was continuing a "longstanding commitment to assisting those accused of crimes by providing for their defence." He emphasised his belief that only a detailed forensic investigation and legal process can determine guilt.
Context and Personal Experience
Ackman provided context for his actions, referencing a personal experience from 2003 when he faced a Securities and Exchange Commission investigation into his former hedge fund, Gotham Partners. He claimed he was "convicted in the headlines" before being exonerated years later, having had the financial means to mount a defence.
"I have real-life perspective on what life is like for the accused, particularly someone who believes and/or knows that they are innocent," Ackman wrote. He described a scenario where the accused becomes "unemployed and unemployable," facing public scorn and financial pressure, which he argued is exacerbated in the social media era.
This experience, he said, makes him a "fierce advocate for the American legal principle that one is presumed innocent until proven guilty." He decided to support Ross's fundraiser because he believed the agent would need significant funds for his defence.
The Shooting Incident and Aftermath
The incident occurred last Wednesday when ICE agents approached Good's stopped Honda Pilot. Surveillance footage shows an officer grabbing the vehicle's handle and allegedly demanding she open the door. Good's vehicle then began to pull forward, at which point Ross drew his weapon and fired three shots, jumping back as the vehicle moved toward him.
After the shooting, the SUV crashed into two parked cars. Footage released later appeared to show Good blocking the road with her SUV for approximately four minutes prior to the confrontation. A passenger, believed to be Good's wife Rebecca, exited the vehicle about 20 seconds after it stopped and began filming. There is speculation she exited to record any potential clash with federal agents.
Ackman noted he also attempted to donate to an online fundraiser for Good's family but found it had already closed after raising more than $1.5 million.
Political Reactions and Investigation Status
The shooting has sparked significant controversy and anti-ICE protests across the United States. Trump administration officials have defended Ross's actions. Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem stated Ross was an experienced professional who followed his training, believing Good was trying to run him over—an act she described as "domestic terrorism." Former President Donald Trump labelled Good a "professional agitator" and claimed the shooting was in "self-defence."
According to The New York Times, it is now unlikely Ross will face criminal charges. Sources indicate the Justice Department's civil rights division has not opened a probe into whether Ross violated Good's federal rights. Instead, the department is reportedly planning to investigate a wider group of activists involved in "ICE watch" activities in Minneapolis, viewing them as potential "instigators."
In a follow-up post, Ackman stressed that Ross "has only been convicted by some in the world of public opinion" and has not been formally charged with any crime. He urged the public not to rush to judgment and to allow the justice system to work.
"Our country and its citizens would be vastly better served by our not rushing to judgment and letting our justice system do its job," the billionaire concluded.
