AOC Accuses Vice President JD Vance of Endorsing Deadly Force After Minnesota ICE Shooting
MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. — The political fallout from a fatal shooting involving Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents in Minneapolis intensified on January 9, 2026, as Democratic Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez sharply criticized Vice President JD Vance’s remarks defending the actions of the ICE agent. The incident, which resulted in the death of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three and immigration activist, has ignited a national debate over law enforcement tactics and immigrant rights.
Good was shot after confronting ICE agents from inside her vehicle during a federal operation in Minneapolis on January 7. Video footage of the encounter quickly circulated online, sparking widespread outrage and calls for accountability. According to sources within the Department of Homeland Security, Good was affiliated with “ICE Watch,” a group that monitors immigration enforcement activities.
At a White House briefing the day after the shooting, Vice President Vance characterized the incident as “an attack on federal law enforcement” and emphasized the administration’s support for ICE agents. “That woman was there to interfere with a legitimate law enforcement operation,” Vance said, adding that Good was “brainwashed” and linked to a “broader, left-wing network.” He reiterated that both he and President Trump stand firmly with ICE and law enforcement officers.
Ocasio-Cortez responded forcefully to Vance’s comments during a Capitol Hill press engagement, condemning what she described as an endorsement of lethal force against civilians. “I understand that Vice President Vance believes that shooting a young mother of three in the face three times is an acceptable America that he wants to live in, and I do not,” she stated. “That is a fundamental difference between Vice President Vance and I. I do not believe that the American people should be assassinated in the street.”
The escalating rhetoric highlights deep divisions over immigration enforcement policies and the use of force by federal agents. The Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency has faced increasing scrutiny in recent years, with critics accusing it of aggressive tactics that endanger immigrant communities. Meanwhile, supporters argue that ICE plays a critical role in maintaining law and order.
A spokesperson for Vice President Vance countered Ocasio-Cortez’s accusations by asserting that she condones violence against law enforcement. “On National Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, AOC made it clear she thinks that radical leftists should be able to mow down ICE officials in broad daylight. She should be ashamed of herself,” the statement read. “The Vice President stands with ICE and the brave men and women of law enforcement, and so do the American people.”
Local authorities in Minnesota have called for cooperation as investigations into the shooting continue. The incident has also prompted renewed calls from some members of Congress to reevaluate funding and oversight of immigration enforcement agencies.
As the nation grapples with the implications of the Minneapolis shooting, the clash between Ocasio-Cortez and Vance underscores the polarized landscape surrounding immigration and law enforcement in the United States. Further developments are expected as federal and local officials probe the circumstances of the fatal encounter.
For ongoing updates, see official releases from the U.S. Department of Justice and the Department of Homeland Security.
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