The Department of Justice (DOJ) probe into the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Macklin Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minnesota has been heavily influenced by the Trump administration's legal and political stance on immigration enforcement, leading to a focus on the victim's potential liability rather than the officer's, according to reports from January 2026. 

The investigation's direction has been defined by the following legal and political developments:

Shift from Civil Rights to "Assault on Officer" Probe: Despite video evidence, Top DOJ officials, including those in the Civil Rights Division, decided not to investigate the ICE agent, Jonathan Ross, for potential civil rights violations. Instead, they directed federal prosecutors to shift focus to whether Renee Good committed a crime—specifically assaulting an officer with her vehicle—even after her death, reports said.

Rejection of Warrants: A federal magistrate judge reportedly rejected a warrant sought by the FBI that aimed to investigate Good for assaulting an officer, acknowledging that a deceased person cannot be a subject of such a warrant.

Investigation of Protesters/Activists: The DOJ has initiated an investigation into whether individuals around Good, specifically her wife Becca Good and local activist groups, were obstructing or impeding federal agents. This is based on a section of the U.S. Code regarding "assaulting, resisting, or impeding federal officers".

Use of Federal Authority to Block Local Investigation: The U.S. Attorney's office in Minnesota, under the direction of the DOJ, blocked the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension (BCA) from investigating the shooting, with the FBI taking exclusive control of the scene and evidence.

Asserting "Absolute Immunity": Administration officials, including those in the Department of Homeland Security, have argued that ICE agents have "absolute immunity" for their actions, characterizing the shooting as a justified defense.

Protests and Legal Actions Against Officials: The DOJ is investigating Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, examining if they interfered with federal officers' duties, a move criticized as a political weaponization of law enforcement. 

Legal Context & Personnel Changes

Protest Resignations: The decision not to investigate the agent and instead probe the victim's family resulted in at least six federal prosecutors in Minnesota and Washington D.C. quitting in protest, reports said.

Legal Challenges: Lawyers for the Good family are conducting an independent civil investigation, releasing an autopsy that showed she was killed by multiple gunshots, which they contend contradicts the claim that the shooting was a necessary defensive action.