Speaking to reporters, U.S. Senator JD Vance highlighted the ongoing challenges federal law enforcement faces in enforcing immigration laws, while emphasizing the tragic case of Renee Good, who lost her life in a collision with an ICE officer.
Vance opened his remarks by acknowledging local tragedies, including the Annunciation School shooting, and praised law enforcement officers for their dedication under difficult circumstances. He stressed the need for cooperation between federal, state, and local authorities to reduce chaos during immigration enforcement operations.
“A lot of these officers are under incredible duress and chaos,” Vance said, describing situations where ICE agents have been harassed, doxed, and even threatened while off duty. He cited incidents where off-duty officers felt unsafe in public spaces due to agitation by local groups.
Vance also discussed broader challenges facing ICE, including the lack of cooperation from some local officials, which he said impedes enforcement of laws against criminal migrants. He pointed to examples in Minneapolis where criminal sex offenders could not be easily located due to state and local agencies refusing to share information, contrasting it with smoother operations in cities like Austin, Texas, and Memphis, Tennessee. Vance then addressed the Renee Good incident directly.
“The Renee Good case is tragic—she lost her life and rammed an ICE officer,” Vance said. “But no officer engaged in wrongdoing enjoys immunity. Federal law enforcement officers are investigated with due process. ICE officers enter communities worried no one will respond if they call 911. That’s a situation state and local officials could solve.”
JD Vance: “I think that Renee Good’s death is a tragedy. I also think that she rammed an ICE officer with her car, so the tragedy here is multilayered.”
— The Post Millennial (@TPostMillennial) January 22, 2026
pic.twitter.com/kGQEEy5SpN
Vance framed the incident as part of a larger conversation about the risks federal officers face when enforcing immigration laws without adequate local support. He emphasized that cooperation between jurisdictions could prevent tragedies while allowing law enforcement to uphold the law effectively.
Throughout his remarks, Vance repeatedly stressed the need for coordination between federal and local authorities, arguing that better collaboration could reduce the dangers faced by law enforcement officers and the broader community alike.
Vice President Vance sends a message to local Minneapolis officials:
— Vice President JD Vance (@VP) January 22, 2026
“We can make the worst moments of chaos much less common, and all they've got to do is meet us halfway…we need some cooperation from state and local officials. I just hope they give it.” pic.twitter.com/pIqDB9FPsS
