The US Department of Justice will not investigate the Ice agent who killed Renee Good in Minneapolis.
Jonathan Ross shot Ms Good dead as she drove into him on January 7 – a killing which has triggered protests across Minneapolis and the wider US.
But in the face of widespread outrage, the department will not probe Mr Ross, Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche confirmed on Sunday.
It will instead open an investigation into Minnesota’s Democratic governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey,
Mr Blanche, who previously served as Donald Trump’s defence lawyer during his 2024 “hush money” trial, spoke about the investigation during a Fox News interview.
He defended the decision not to investigate the Ice officer – who suffered internal bleeding after being rammed.
“We don’t just go out and investigate every time an officer is forced to defend himself against somebody for putting his life in danger. We never do,” he said.
He added that an internal review was underway – but stressed this differed significantly from a full DoJ probe.
Jonathan Ross suffered internal bleeding after being rammed by Renee Good
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Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem confirmed on CBS that standard review procedures were being followed.
Mr Blanche also accused the two Democratic officials of encouraging lawbreaking.
“You saw the Governor and the Mayor actively encouraging criminals to go out on the street and impede Ice. That is not allowed under our law,” he said.
Donald Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act of 1807 to deploy military forces against protesters.
CHAOS IN MINNEAPOLIS – READ MORE:
Renee Good was shot dead as she drove into the Ice officer on January 7
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REUTERSReports suggest the administration has made preparations to send troops to Minneapolis, with 1,500 active-duty soldiers reportedly readied for deployment.
Mr Walz has placed the state’s National Guard on standby, and Mr Frey accused the federal government of attempting to provoke demonstrators.
“This act was clearly designed to intimidate the people of Minneapolis… we’re not going to be intimidated,” he said on CNN.
“I never thought in a million years that we would be invaded by our own Federal Government.”
A spokesman for Mr Frey said he had not yet been contacted by federal authorities.
Tim Walz has placed the state’s National Guard on standby
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GETTYHe said the potential investigation was an attempt to silence the mayor for defending locals against what he called the “chaos and danger” brought by the administration.
Last week, Mr Blanche said on social media: “Walz and Frey – I’m focused on stopping YOU from your terrorism by whatever means necessary. This is not a threat. It’s a promise.”
Following the shooting, Mr Frey urged Ice to “get the f*** out of Minneapolis” and told protesters to take to the streets.
Mr Walz also encouraged residents to demonstrate and film Ice operations.
After news of the investigation emerged on Friday, Mr Walz said: “Weaponising the justice system against your opponents is an authoritarian tactic. The only person not being investigated for the shooting of Renee Good is the federal agent who shot her.”
