FBI Investigation Into Renee Good Shooting Stalled Over Key Concern—Report

Senior Trump officials ordered a halt to the probe over fears it would contradict the president's claims about the incident.

Published on Feb. 7, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

According to a New York Times report, senior Trump administration officials, including FBI Director Kash Patel, ordered a halt to the FBI's investigation into the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by a federal agent in Minneapolis last month. The officials were reportedly concerned the investigation's conclusions would contradict President Trump's public claims about the incident.

Why it matters

The shooting of Good, a 37-year-old mother, during an ICE operation has sparked protests and heightened tensions in Minnesota. Federal officials have asserted the agent acted in self-defense, but this account has been disputed by local officials and witnesses. The stalled investigation has led to the resignation of several federal prosecutors who viewed the DOJ's suggested approaches as legally dubious.

The details

According to the Times report, Patel and other senior officials did not want to produce a report that would go against Trump's claim that Good "violently, willfully, and viciously ran over the ICE Officer" who shot her. The DOJ presented "alternative approaches" to the investigation that federal prosecutors in Minnesota viewed as legally questionable. Ultimately, half a dozen federal prosecutors, including U.S. Attorney Joseph H. Thompson, resigned rather than continue participating.

  • Renee Nicole Good was shot and killed by a federal officer during an ICE operation in Minneapolis last month.
  • Thompson and other prosecutors resigned from their positions in mid-January, about a week after Good's shooting.

The players

Renee Nicole Good

A 37-year-old mother from Minneapolis who was shot and killed by a federal officer during an ICE operation.

Kash Patel

The FBI Director who, according to the report, ordered a halt to the investigation into Good's shooting.

Joseph H. Thompson

The U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota who resigned along with five other federal prosecutors rather than continue participating in the investigation.

Donald Trump

The President who made public claims about the incident that the investigation's conclusions were feared to contradict.

Tim Walz

The Democratic Governor of Minnesota who criticized the resignations of the federal prosecutors.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“Joe is a principled public servant who spent more than a decade achieving justice for Minnesotans. This is a huge loss for our state. It's also the latest sign Trump is pushing nonpartisan career professionals out of the justice department, replacing them with his sycophants.”

— Tim Walz, Governor of Minnesota (X)

“Our state has been blessed to have First US Attorney Joe Thompson leading the fraud prosecutions in Minnesota for the last 7 years! It is a tremendous loss that he is stepping down. Thank you for your service!”

— Kristin Robbins, Minnesota State Representative (X)

“The Theft and Fraud in Minnesota is far greater than the 19 Billion Dollars originally projected. The Biden Administration knew this FRAUD was happening, and did absolutely nothing about it. 'Scammer' Illhan Omar and her absolutely terrible friends from Somalia should all be in jail right now or, far worse, send them back to Somalia. 'Governor' Waltz is either the most CORRUPT government official in history, or the most INCOMPETENT. Even a very low IQ person, of which there are many, should have known what was going on in Minnesota!!!”

— Donald Trump (Truth Social)

What’s next

The DOJ said other agencies were investigating the circumstances surrounding Good's death. Meanwhile, Minnesota is suing the Trump administration, calling for federal agents to leave the state. Earlier this week, the Trump administration pulled 700 federal immigration agents from Minnesota.

The takeaway

This case highlights the growing political tensions and partisan divides over law enforcement actions, with the Trump administration accused of interfering in a federal investigation to protect the president's narrative. The resignations of career prosecutors raise concerns about the independence and integrity of the justice system.