The Federal Bureau of Investigation has explicitly denied any involvement in shutting down a civil rights investigation into the actions of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer who fatally shot a woman in Minneapolis earlier this month. This denial comes amidst conflicting reports about the handling of the case and significant internal dissent within the Department of Justice.
Conflicting Accounts of Investigation's Fate
According to documents and reports from The Washington Post, the Department of Justice's initial review of the shooting determined there were sufficient grounds to launch a formal civil rights investigation into ICE officer Jonathan Ross. Ross fired three shots at close range into a vehicle driven by Renee Good during an encounter in a residential street. However, this potential federal probe appears to have been abandoned shortly after it was initiated.
In a statement released on Monday night, the FBI sought to distance itself from the decision-making process. The agency stated, "Those decisions were not made by the FBI." The FBI emphasised that it continues to work with federal partners to investigate the shooting incident itself, alongside what it described as "ongoing violent criminal actors and their funding sources." The bureau concluded that, based on the facts, a civil rights investigation was not supported.
Administration Officials Defend Position
This revelation about an initial probe stands in direct contrast to recent public statements from Trump administration officials. Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche told The Independent just one week after the shooting that "there is currently no basis for a criminal civil rights investigation." He reiterated this position on a national news programme, stating, "We investigate when it's appropriate to investigate. And that is not the case here."
Instead, the focus of federal investigators has reportedly shifted. The only individuals now under investigation in connection with Good's death and the subsequent federal law enforcement surge in Minnesota are Good's widow, Becca Good, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey. The Justice Department has launched a criminal investigation into the latter two for allegedly conspiring to obstruct immigration enforcement.
Internal Reviews and Resignations
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed that the shooting is under an internal review within ICE's Office of Professional Responsibility, a standard procedure following any officer-involved incident. She noted that Officer Ross was placed on a standard three-day administrative leave. "We are following the exact same investigative and review process that we always have," Noem asserted during a television appearance.
The suspension of the federal civil rights investigation reportedly occurred after Trump-appointed U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen moved to exclude state investigators from the case. The decision to abandon the probe triggered significant internal upheaval. At least six officials within the Justice Department's civil rights division resigned following the move, according to initial reports, though the DOJ claims their departures were planned earlier.
Prosecutor Objections and Family's Plea
Further dissent emerged when it was reported that several top federal prosecutors in Minnesota, including veteran prosecutor Joseph Thompson, resigned. Thompson, a Trump appointee, reportedly objected strenuously to the Justice Department's refusal to investigate the shooting as a civil rights matter. He was also said to be outraged by the alleged directive to pursue a criminal investigation into Becca Good.
Antonio Romanucci, the attorney representing Renee Good's family, challenged the administration's approach. "Todd Blanche is telling us that he's determining on his own that that was a defensible act without an investigation. And that is not the way it's done," Romanucci told CNN. He argued for a comprehensive review based on the totality of circumstances, including witness intent and reasonable police practices.
Scene of the Shooting
Footage from the incident, captured by multiple witnesses and by Officer Ross himself, shows masked federal officers approaching Good's car. In the video, an officer is heard shouting, "get out of the f***ing car," while another agent pulls on the door handle. Ross's own recording captures Good saying, "That's fine, dude, I'm not mad at you." Becca Good, who was outside the vehicle, is heard telling Ross they are U.S. citizens.
The footage shows Good's car backing up slightly before pulling forward and veering to the right. As it moves, Ross positions himself at the front of the vehicle and fires three shots. The car then accelerates and crashes further down the street. An off-camera voice, apparently Ross's, is heard uttering a profane and derogatory remark. A robust federal civil rights investigation could have been pivotal in determining whether this lethal use of force was legally justified.
Broader Context and Military Preparedness
The controversy unfolds against a backdrop of heightened tension in Minnesota. The Pentagon has reportedly prepared nearly 1,500 troops for potential deployment as President Trump threatens to invoke the Insurrection Act to suppress protests following Good's death. These protests are also connected to an aggressive immigration enforcement operation that Secretary Noem claims has led to 10,000 arrests. The administration has repeatedly defended Officer Ross's actions while accusing Renee Good of intentionally "weaponizing" her car in an act of "domestic terrorism," a characterisation fiercely contested by her family and their legal representatives.
