The death of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother and poet, has been followed by a deliberate and disturbing effort to frame her as a dangerous criminal—an attempt fueled by political motives and blatant prejudice.
The Shooting and Initial Claims
On January 7th, Good was shot by ICE agent Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis. Initial reports from the Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and President Donald Trump quickly characterized Good as a threat who “weaponized” her vehicle and “violently ran over” the agent. This narrative, despite bystander videos showing Good attempting to drive away from the confrontation, took immediate hold in conservative media.
The Escalation of Blame
Matt Walsh of the Daily Wire and Megyn Kelly were among those who asserted Good was “100 percent to blame” for her own death. But the justification soon expanded beyond the immediate circumstances of the shooting. A key element of this campaign has been the targeting of Good’s identity as a queer woman.
Identity as a Weaponized Narrative
Right-wing commentators openly mocked Good’s sexuality. Ian Miles Cheong called her a “rug munching leftist,” while Fox News host Jesse Watters noted her “pronouns in her bio,” seemingly as a derogatory point. The attacks extended to her partner, Becca Good, with President Trump repeatedly referring to her as Renee’s “friend.” This erasure of their relationship was deliberate, sending a message that their bond was illegitimate and unworthy of respect.
Leaked Video and Explicit Hostility
A leaked video from the ICE agent’s cell phone showed the moments before the shooting. Good calmly told the person filming, “I’m not mad at you,” while her partner, Becca, defiantly confronted Ross. Before Good’s car crashed, a voice is heard saying: “Fucking bitch.” The fact that this slur was not edited out underscores the level of contempt driving the narrative.
The Pattern of Smear Tactics
This case mirrors how authorities have historically treated victims of violence, particularly people of color. After George Floyd’s murder, right-wing media fixated on his criminal history; after Trayvon Martin’s death, they highlighted his school suspension. With Good, gender and sexuality have replaced race, but the tactic remains the same: deny the victim any semblance of innocence.
The Intimidation Factor
The aftermath of Good’s death has seen ICE agents in Minnesota openly using her case as a warning to protesters. Detained protesters were told, “You guys need to stop obstructing us. That’s why that lesbian bitch is dead.” Right-wing commentator Jack Posobiec has even called for Good’s partner, Becca, to be charged with federal crimes.
The message is clear: dissent will be met with lethal force and public humiliation. The calculated smear campaign against Renee Good serves not just to justify her death but to intimidate anyone who dares to oppose the government’s actions.
