Leavitt accuses Democrats of 'lying from the very beginning' about Minneapolis ICE shooting

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Leavitt accuses Democrats of 'lying from the very beginning' about Minneapolis ICE shooting

White House press secretary says critics have been forced to walk back their narrative after video evidence emerged

Stephanie Samsel Fox News

Published

January 12, 2026 3:51pm EST

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Leavitt accuses anti-ICE agitators of ‘actively trying to impede law enforcement operations’

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt discusses the anti-ICE protests in Minneapolis, touts the Trump administration’s economic policies and more on ‘America Reports.’

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White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt accused Democrats and mainstream media Monday of "lying from the very beginning" about the I.C.E. officer involved in the fatal Minneapolis shooting, adding they have been forced to walk back their narrative on "America Reports."

"They have had to change their story and their narrative," Leavitt said.

On Jan. 7, an I.C.E. agent fatally shot Minneapolis woman Renee Nicole Good after she reportedly tried to run him over with her vehicle, sparking controversy about the agent’s use of deadly force.

The Department of Homeland Security has said the agent was defending himself, with DHS Secretary Kristi Noem alleging Good was "stalking" I.C.E. officers.

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Meanwhile, Democratic leaders, such as former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, condemned the shooting as murder and criticized the Trump administration’s "lawless violence."

Hillary Clinton delivering 2024 DNC speech

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton described the fatal shooting of Renee Good by an ICE agent as murder in an X post Jan. 8, 2026. (Mandel Ngan/Getty Images)

Leavitt doubled down on her claim that Democrats were "wrong" and lying "despicably" about the case.

"Because at first, you heard Democrats, including the mayor of Minneapolis, saying that the car never struck the officer and the lethal force was unjustified," she noted. "Now, of course there is plentiful video evidence to show that the officer was struck by the car, that this deranged lunatic woman was trying to ram him over with her vehicle and was using that vehicle as a weapon, which justifies domestic terrorism."

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When Fox News anchor John Roberts asked Leavitt if President Donald Trump thinks the I.C.E. officer’s actions were justified, Leavitt replied, "Absolutely."

Renee Nicole Good seen on a cell phone video

Renee Nicole Good moments before she was shot and killed by federal agent in Minneapolis. (Obtained by Fox News)

"And I think the more evidence that comes out shows the officer was justified, and President Trump was right about this all along," she continued.

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Minneapolis is not the only place "organized paid antagonists" have tried to obstruct law enforcement, Leavitt added.

"They are harassing and targeting I.C.E. agents, trying to make it impossible again for them to carry out their duties. That's what was happening in this case," she charged.

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Leavitt went on to defend the I.C.E. agent’s deadly response to Good, calling him "experienced" and "brave."

ICE shooting location barricaded by residents in Minneapolis

Residents barricade the 3300 block of Portland Ave. in Minneapolis, MN, Thursday, January 8, 2026. The block is where Renee Nicole Good was shot by an ICE agent yesterday. (Derek Shook for Fox News Digital) (Derek Shook for Fox News Digital)

"That officer used his training," Leavitt said. "I understand that he's been on the force and he's protecting American communities for many, many years. He's an experienced and brave individual who unfortunately had to make a very tough decision and was put in that position by these paid agitators who have been doing this all over the country."

Stephanie Samsel is a digital production assistant at Fox News Digital. She has previously written for Campus Reform and the Media Research Center, covering political bias in education and entertainment. Follow her on X @StephSamsel.

Leavitt accuses Democrats of 'lying from the very beginning' about Minneapolis ICE shooting