Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem issued a strong warning during a January 7, 2026, press conference in Minneapolis. She called for an end to the use of vehicles against law enforcement officers following a fatal ICE shooting incident.
Noem described the event, in which 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good died after allegedly driving her SUV toward agents during an immigration raid. She urged the Department of Justice to treat such actions as domestic terrorism.
Incident Overview and Officer’s Condition
Noem detailed the sequence of events in her prepared remarks. “The ICE officer, fearing for his life and the other officers around him and the safety of the public, fired defensive shots,” she said. “He used his training to save his own life and that of his colleagues. He was treated at a local hospital, has been released, and is now with family.”
She added a call for support. “I encourage the American people at this point in time to pray for him, but also pray for the deceased’s family and her loved ones.”
When asked about the injured officer’s condition—referenced by President Trump as leaving the agent “lucky to be alive”—Noem confirmed, “The officer was hit by the vehicle, she hit him. He went to the hospital, a doctor did treat him. He has been released but he’s going to spend some time with his family.”
Defense of Use of Force
Noem addressed questions about the appropriateness of the response. She stood by the officer’s actions. “It’s clearly established law that a vehicle driven by a person and used to harm someone is a deadly weapon,” she explained. “Deadly force is perfectly lawful when a threat is faced by a weapon. So I do believe that this officer used his training in this situation and we’ll let the FBI continue the investigation to get it resolved.”
Strong Condemnation and Call for Action
Noem escalated her remarks. She framed the incident within a broader pattern. “People need to stop using their vehicles as weapons,” she declared. “This domestic act of terrorism to use your vehicle to try and kill law enforcement officers is going to stop.”
She went further and claimed coordination behind such tactics. “I’m asking the Department of Justice to prosecute it as domestic terrorism because it’s clear that it is being coordinated. People are being trained and told how to use their vehicles to impede law enforcement operations and then run over anybody who gets in their way while they go out there and disrupt peace and public safety.”
The press conference addressed the shooting that occurred earlier that day during an ICE operation in Minneapolis.
