Moments before the incident, investigators say Renee Good attempted to call a powerful local contact for help.

January 24, 2026 by Nadia

This development adds a explosive layer to an already polarized case. Federal officials, including those in the Department of Justice under Deputy Attorney General Todd Blanche, have portrayed Good not as an innocent bystander but as a repeat offender in obstructing immigration enforcement. Leaked documents allege Good had a history of “violating residency rules” in activist contexts—interpreted by some as participating in efforts to harbor or shield undocumented individuals during past ICE actions in Minneapolis. Though Good was a U.S. citizen with no criminal record beyond minor traffic violations, investigators claim she relied on informal networks of local officials and community leaders for protection during previous encounters.

One source close to the investigation told outlets that this wasn’t Good’s first brush with federal agents. “She had a pattern of showing up at raid sites, recording, and then vanishing before consequences stuck—always with someone pulling strings behind the scenes,” the source said on condition of anonymity. “This time, the strings snapped.”

The refusal from Ellison—whose office has pushed for limits on local cooperation with ICE—allegedly left Good in a desperate position. Witnesses and bodycam footage show her calmly telling Agent Jonathan Ross, “That’s fine, dude. I’m not mad at you,” before the situation escalated. Becca Good, her partner, urged her to “drive, baby, drive,” as agents attempted to open the door. Good reversed briefly, then accelerated away—actions federal officials label as an attempt to “run over” Ross in an act of “domestic terrorism.” Continue reading…