Noem Says She’ll ‘Always’ Stand Behind ICE Officers Amid Protests

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem made clear Friday that the Trump administration will not back down from defending federal law enforcement, even as coordinated protests against Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers continue to spread nationwide.

The demonstrations erupted following the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old woman in Minneapolis earlier this week by an ICE officer during a volatile encounter. According to Noem, the woman attempted to ram an officer with her vehicle, an act she described as domestic terrorism. The incident has been seized upon by left-wing activists to intensify attacks on federal immigration enforcement, despite mounting evidence that officers acted in self-defense.

Speaking on Law Enforcement Appreciation Day, Noem delivered an unequivocal message of support for the men and women enforcing federal law.

“I want to take a moment to express how thankful I am every single day for the men and women who put on the badge and put their lives on the line to protect the American people,” Noem said on Law Enforcement Appreciation Day. “With more than 80,000 officers and agents, our Department is the largest law enforcement agency in the federal government.”

Noem encouraged Americans to show tangible support for law enforcement officers, suggesting small but meaningful gestures such as buying an officer a meal or coffee.

“We recognize the sacrifice you and your families make to protect and serve the American people and our great country. President Trump and I will always stand with you,” she said. “Please take some time today to thank an officer or agent today. Make them a meal, buy them a cup of coffee, or simply thank them. To every officer who puts on the badge each day: thank you. Your service is paramount to our nation’s safety.”

The Department of Homeland Security underscored the increasingly dangerous environment federal officers face, reporting staggering increases in violence directed at its personnel. According to DHS, assaults against officers have surged by 1,300%, vehicular assaults have increased by 3,200%, and death threats have skyrocketed by 8,000%.

DHS also revealed that the ICE agent involved in the Minneapolis shooting had previously been dragged approximately 100 yards by a vehicle driven by a convicted sex offender during a separate enforcement operation—an incident highlighting the routine dangers agents face while carrying out their duties.

Despite the unrest and hostile rhetoric, ICE continued enforcement operations on Thursday, arresting illegal immigrants with serious criminal histories. DHS officials described those taken into custody as among the “worst of the worst,” per the Daily Wire:

• Angelica Maria Lua-Pinon, an illegal alien from Mexico convicted of lewd or lascivious acts with a child under 14 in San Fernando, California.
• Jorge Alberto Olivares-Lagunes, an illegal alien from Mexico convicted of aggravated assault with a deadly weapon in Hays County, Texas.
• Ricardo Garcia-Villegas, an illegal alien from Mexico convicted of murder in Queens, New York.
• Edwin Sanchez-Montiel, an illegal alien from El Salvador convicted of accessory after the fact relating to first-degree murder in Montgomery County, Maryland.
• Inmar Hernandez-Carcamo, an illegal alien from El Salvador convicted of firearms trafficking conspiracy in the U.S. District Court, District of Maryland.

As political tensions escalate over President Donald J. Trump’s immigration enforcement agenda, newly released cellphone video footage has provided additional context surrounding the Minneapolis shooting.

The video, made public Friday, shows the moments leading up to the fatal encounter between federal agents and Renee Nicole Good, 37. The footage was released two days after Good was shot during a confrontation on a residential street, Fox News reported.

Captured by an agent’s body camera, the video shows Good’s Honda Pilot stopped in the middle of the roadway, apparently obstructing traffic. She appears calm as she speaks with one of the agents.

“That’s fine, dude,” she says. “I’m not mad.”

An agent then circles the vehicle to inspect the license plate. Shortly thereafter, another agent approaches the driver’s side and orders Good to exit.

“Get out of the car. Get out of the f—— car,” the agent is heard saying.

Moments later, Good reverses and then accelerates forward toward the agent wearing the body camera. The agent is heard saying “whoa” just before multiple gunshots ring out. The vehicle then crashes into a parked car, ending the encounter.

Federal officials maintain the shooting was a justified response to a rapidly unfolding and life-threatening situation—one that underscores the growing risks faced by ICE officers as they enforce the law amid escalating political hostility.