The US Department of Justice has stated it will not open a federal civil rights investigation into the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis, a decision that stands in stark contrast to its immediate response to the police killing of George Floyd in the same city six years ago.
A Stark Contrast in Federal Response
Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed the decision on Sunday, telling Fox News the department was "not investigating" the 7 January shooting. The killing occurred less than a mile from where George Floyd was murdered in May 2020. Blanche, a former personal lawyer to Donald Trump, suggested publicly available video evidence of Good's death was sufficient, stating, "We don’t just go out and investigate every time an officer is forced to defend himself."
This position directly contradicts the actions of the previous Trump administration's Justice Department. In 2020, just three days after George Floyd's video-recorded death, the US attorney in Minnesota and the FBI announced a "robust criminal investigation" in conjunction with the civil rights division. That probe led to the 2022 convictions of four Minneapolis police officers for federal civil rights offenses.
Disputed Facts and Political Pressure
The shooting of Renee Good was recorded on at least five phones, including one held by the ICE agent, Jonathan Ross. However, forensic analysis by outlets including the New York Times and Bellingcat has disputed claims from Trump and his officials that Good "ran over" the agent. Witnesses also stated federal officers blocked a physician from treating Good and impeded arriving ambulances.
Since Trump's return to office, the traditional independence of the Justice Department has been heavily influenced. The day after the shooting, Trump's Attorney General, Pam Bondi, warned Minnesota protesters that obstructing federal law enforcement is a crime, while the head of the civil rights division, Harmeet Dhillon, amplified Trump's false narrative about the event on social media.
Focus Shifts to Protesters, Not the Agent
Amid reports that the Justice Department is investigating Good's widow for allegedly taunting the ICE agent before the shooting, Deputy AG Blanche pledged to "prosecute anyone attacking or obstructing" ICE officers. FBI Director Kash Patel posted that the bureau was "cracking down on violent rioters" in Minneapolis, a term often used by Trump officials to describe peaceful protesters.
The decision not to investigate, defended by Homeland Security head Kristi Noem who insisted an internal ICE review was enough, has sparked resignations among federal prosecutors in Minnesota and Washington DC. It marks a significant departure from precedent and raises profound questions about equal application of justice under the current administration.
