On the previous day, 37-year-old U.S. citizen Renee Nicole Good was fatally shot by an ICE officer during a significant federal immigration operation in south Minneapolis. Good reportedly tried to use her SUV as a weapon, allegedly trying to ram the agent who shot her.
President Trump and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the actions of the officers as being in self-defense. In contrast, some Democrats, including Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and Rep. Ilhan Omar, condemned the shooting as an unjust and reckless act against an innocent individual. They assert that Good was merely trying to escape, despite video evidence showing the officer being thrown back by the SUV’s impact.
Jason Whitlock, a host for Blaze TV, expressed that it seems like Democrats are trying to frame this situation as “George Floyd 2.0.” In a discussion on “Jason Whitlock Harmony,” he and guests Shemeka Michelle, Dre Baldwin, and Virgil Walker examined why such attempts often backfire.
Shemeka noted that Good’s death may not carry the same political weight as Floyd’s because, being a “white woman,” she doesn’t fit the narrative that the left aims to promote for social justice. She mentioned, “This happened in the winter, and it’s uncertain how many people will be protesting outside.” Her comment highlights questions about the organizational capabilities of movements like BLM, which some critics claim lack substantial groundwork.
Whitlock suggested that even if Good had been a black woman, it would still be unlikely that this incident would escalate in the same way, as police might have hesitated to shoot due to potential backlash.
Baldwin had a different take, arguing that the ICE officers would likely have reacted similarly if Good had been black. However, he thought the fallout wouldn’t have been as intense, pointing out that video evidence of George Floyd portrayed him as an entirely innocent individual, unlike Good, who was driving a vehicle in a confrontational manner.
Walker added that research indicates law enforcement may be less likely to use deadly force against a black perpetrator. He speculated that if Good had been black, there might have been a “delayed response” from the officer who fired.
He emphasized that the central legal question revolves around whether Good’s vehicle was aimed at the officer when the shot was fired. This, he believes, is the crux of the ongoing investigation.
As for whether this incident will ignite a movement akin to the protests surrounding George Floyd, Walker expressed skepticism, noting that Good’s situation may not have the same potential for widespread activism.
