The fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis has sparked significant public outrage and criticism from various quarters, including late-night host Jimmy Kimmel. During an episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live, Kimmel addressed the incident, which occurred on March 6, 2024, just one day after a surge of federal agents was deployed to the city for a 30-day immigration enforcement operation.
Kimmel highlighted the controversial response from the administration, stating that rather than withdrawing agents in light of the public outcry, Donald Trump has opted to increase their presence in the city. “We have Trump’s ongoing war on Minneapolis, where his response to the intense outrage following the killing of Renee Good by an ICE agent is to send in even more ICE agents,” Kimmel said. He likened this approach to “throwing more grease on a grease fire,” underscoring his disapproval of the administration’s handling of the situation.
Thousands of protesters took to the streets over the weekend, with many gathering in Minneapolis despite the frigid temperatures of 16 degrees Fahrenheit. Kimmel noted the participation of “thousands and thousands of patriotic Americans” who voiced their opposition to Good’s death. He also criticized Kristi Noem, the Governor of South Dakota, who referred to Good as a “domestic terrorist,” arguing that the government portrays peaceful protesters as violent threats.
In a striking commentary on the political climate, Kimmel remarked, “They need to paint anyone who protests as violent and dangerous, even a mom in a Honda.” He further suggested that the current administration’s narrative seeks to create a façade of disorder, potentially justifying military intervention.
Kimmel’s comments extended to international affairs, as he quipped that instead of increasing ICE’s presence in Minneapolis, the agents could instead be sent to Iran, where unrest has also been met with government crackdowns. “I have an idea: Send all those guys from ICE out of Minneapolis to Iran. They could help!” he said, reflecting on the irony of the U.S. administration’s foreign policy approach amid domestic turmoil.
The episode also featured a light-hearted segment where Kimmel shared videos of ICE agents slipping on ice, humorously dubbing it the “ICE Ice Capades.” This juxtaposition of humor against a backdrop of serious issues has been a hallmark of Kimmel’s approach to commentary.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey expressed his own frustration, declaring, “To ICE: Get the fuck out of Minneapolis.” His strong statement underscores the tensions between local leadership and federal immigration enforcement. Following Frey’s remarks, Kimmel suggested creating T-shirts emblazoned with the phrase as a form of protest.
The tragic death of Renee Good has highlighted the ongoing debate surrounding ICE’s role in immigration enforcement and the implications for community safety. As protests continue and public sentiment shifts, the future of immigration policy in Minneapolis—and across the country—remains uncertain.
