Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey staunchly defended his intensely worded rebuke of federal immigration authorities following a fatal shooting during an enforcement operation. His original outburst, directing ICE officials to “get the f--- out of Minneapolis,” ignited a firestorm of controversy, but Frey remained unyielding in his core message.
The incident that sparked the conflict involved the death of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good, shot by a federal ICE agent after her vehicle was stopped. Accounts diverge sharply: federal officials characterize Good’s actions as a deliberate attempt to harm officers, even labeling it “domestic terrorism.”
However, witnesses and local leaders paint a different picture, asserting that Good was simply trying to maneuver away from the surrounding ICE agents. This fundamental disagreement over the circumstances of the shooting fuels the ongoing tension and public outcry.
Facing criticism for his profanity, Frey offered a pointed response during a national television interview. He acknowledged potentially causing offense, but swiftly redirected the focus to the ultimate tragedy: the loss of a life.
“To those that are offended, I’m sorry I offended their delicate ears,” Frey stated, then immediately countered, “But as far as who inflamed the situation, you know, I dropped an f-bomb. And they killed somebody. I think the killing somebody is the inflammatory element here, not the f-bomb.”
Frey emphasized his responsibility to de-escalate tensions as mayor, acknowledging the need for measured language. Yet, he firmly maintained that his forceful words paled in comparison to the gravity of the shooting itself.
The city witnessed large-scale protests in the wake of the shooting, with an estimated 10,000 people marching and demonstrating. Frey highlighted the overwhelmingly peaceful nature of these expressions of First Amendment rights.
Earlier that same day, Frey reiterated his demand for ICE’s departure from Minnesota, this time on a social media platform, though omitting the explicit language of his initial statement. The message remained clear: ICE is not welcome.
The shooting and Frey’s subsequent defense have thrust Minneapolis into the center of a national debate about immigration enforcement, police tactics, and the limits of political rhetoric in moments of crisis. The conflicting narratives surrounding Renee Nicole Good’s death continue to deepen the divide.
