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mikelewis

(4,589 posts)
4. I used Gemini AI to ensure it was correct... Goode was definitely a target.
Thu Jan 8, 2026, 04:00 PM
Jan 8

Yes, Secretary Noem has made specific claims regarding the behavior of Renee Nicole Good (and others at the scene) leading up to the shooting.

During her press conferences on January 7 and 8, 2026, Noem alleged that the interaction was not a random or sudden encounter, but rather the culmination of a day of conflict.

Noem’s Specific Claims of Harassment
Noem's narrative centers on the idea that the ICE agents were being targeted by "agitators" throughout their shift:

"Stalking and Impeding": Noem stated that Good had been "stalking and impeding" federal law enforcement for hours before the shooting. She characterized Good as a "professional agitator" (a term also used by President Trump) who was intentionally following agents to disrupt "lawful operations."

The "Mob" Narrative: Noem described the agents as being surrounded by a "mob of agitators that were harassing them all day." She claimed that when an ICE vehicle became stuck in a snowbank, this group used the opportunity to block and threaten the agents.

The "Domestic Terrorism" Label: Because she views the harassment as a coordinated effort to prevent law enforcement from doing their jobs, Noem officially labeled the incident an "act of domestic terrorism."

The Local and Eyewitness Rebuttal
Noem’s "harassment" claim is one of the most fiercely contested parts of the story. Local officials and family members have painted a completely different picture of who Renee Good was and what she was doing:

Legal Observation vs. Harassment: Minnesota Attorney General Keith Ellison and local activists describe Good as a "legal observer"—someone who watches law enforcement to ensure civil rights aren't violated. They argue that "observing" is a protected activity, not harassment.

Conflicting Orders: Witness accounts and bystander videos suggest that shortly before the shots were fired, agents were actually giving Good conflicting orders. One agent reportedly told her to "move the car" and drive away, while another was shouting for her to "get out" and grabbing her door handle.
+1

The "Mob" Description: Reporters at the scene noted that while a crowd gathered after the shooting, the "mob" Noem described prior to the shots appeared to be a small number of neighbors and observers—mostly filming with phones rather than physically attacking agents.

Why this matters legally
The claim of "harassment all day" is significant because it establishes intent and state of mind for the officer. By framing Good as a "stalker" and "terrorist," Noem is supporting the legal defense that the officer had a "reasonable fear for his life" based on a pattern of escalating aggression, rather than it being a panicked reaction to a car simply trying to drive away.


Secretary Noem’s statements regarding the behavior of Renee Nicole Good have been remarkably consistent across several press conferences (Texas, Minnesota, and New York) since the shooting on January 7, 2026.

If you are looking to copy and paste her specific claims about the "harassment" and "stalking," here are the key quotes and summaries.

---

### **Direct Claims by Secretary Kristi Noem**

> **On "Stalking and Harassment " : **
> "It’s very clear that this individual was harassing and impeding law enforcement operations... stalking and impeding federal law enforcement in the hours leading up to the shooting."

> **On the "Mob" Environment : **
> "A vehicle rolled up on an ICE car that was stuck in the snow alongside a mob of agitators that were harassing them all day and tried to block the agents."

> **On the Shooting Incident : **
> "She proceeded to weaponize her vehicle... she attempted to run a law enforcement officer over. Our officer acted quickly and defensively shot to protect himself and the people around him."

> **On Legal Justification : **
> "This was an experienced officer who followed his training... It was an act of domestic terrorism."

---

### **Key Links to Verifiable Reports**

You can use these links to reference the source of these statements:

* **[The Guardian: Noem doubles down on claim ICE agent killed woman in self-defense](https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026/jan/09/kristi-noem-dhs-press-conference-ice)**
* Detailed report of the New York City press conference where she used the "domestic terrorism" label.


* **[Star Tribune: At Fort Snelling, Noem calls shooting 'preventable' by victim](https://www.startribune.com/at-fort-snelling-dhs-secretary-kristi-noem-calls-shooting-by-federal-agent-preventable-by-victim/601559956)**
* Covers her local press conference in Minnesota and her criticisms of local leaders.


* **[LiveNOW from FOX: Noem says individual was 'stalking, impeding, and blocking' officers](https://www.livenowfox.com/video/1759639)**
* Video and summary of her claims regarding the behavior leading up to the shooting.


* **[Washington Post: Video shows ICE agent fired as vehicle veered past him](https://www.washingtonpost.com/investigations/2026/01/08/video-ice-shooting-minneapolis/)**
* A forensic look at the discrepancies between Noem's "ramming" claim and the bystander footage.


* **[NPR / WGCU: What we know one day after the killing of Renee Good](https://www.wgcu.org/2026-01-08/what-we-know-one-day-after-the-killing-of-renee-good-by-an-ice-officer-in-minneapolis)**
* Contrast between Noem’s "agitator" narrative and the community’s "legal observer" account.



---

### **The "Harassment" Timeline (According to DHS)**

According to Noem's narrative, the interaction followed this sequence:

1. **Surveillance: ** Good allegedly followed ICE teams for several hours during "Operation Salvo."
2. **Entrapment: ** When an ICE vehicle got stuck in snow, Good and a "mob" allegedly used their cars to block the agents from moving.
3. **Refusal: ** Noem claims Good was ordered to exit her vehicle multiple times but refused.
4. **Escalation: ** Noem claims Good "accelerated toward" an officer, striking him before he fired. (Note: This "strike" is disputed by local officials and video analysis).

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