The US administration is facing mounting criticism after Vice President J.D. Vance shared a video of the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old woman killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis, in what critics say was an attempt to control the national narrative around the incident.

The video, filmed by the shooter himself, ICE agent Jonathan Ross, shows Good sitting in her car as Ross approaches. In the footage, Good appears calm, smiling and repeatedly telling Ross, “That’s fine, dude. I’m not mad at you.” Moments later, an officer orders her out of the car. As the vehicle begins to move away, shots are fired.

The administration has insisted Ross acted in self-defence, claiming Good attempted to ram officers with her vehicle. However, many viewers and legal analysts say the footage does not support that version of events.

Vance reposted the video on social media, accusing the press of “lying about this innocent law enforcement officer”, a post later amplified by the Department of Homeland Security. The move has drawn sharp criticism online, with users pointing out that Good’s final words were calm and non-threatening, while Ross can be heard swearing immediately after the shooting.

Legal commentators, including senior editor at Lawfare Media Eric Columbus, questioned the administration’s judgment in releasing the footage, asking whether officials believed the public would not watch and judge the video for themselves.

The shooting has sparked nationwide protests, with thousands taking to the streets in Minneapolis and other cities to demand accountability and an end to what activists describe as aggressive and militarised immigration enforcement. At least 29 people were arrested during protests in Minneapolis on Friday night, and one police officer was injured.

The backlash comes amid an expanded federal immigration crackdown. More than 2,000 federal agents have reportedly been deployed to Minnesota, with additional Customs and Border Patrol officers sent from other states. Civil rights groups have raised concerns about the scale and intensity of the operation, particularly in communities of colour.

The administration has also moved to restrict congressional oversight of ICE facilities. Democratic lawmakers in Minnesota were recently denied entry to a detention centre, prompting further legal challenges.

Polling data suggests public opinion is turning sharply against ICE. According to recent figures, overall approval of the agency has dropped significantly in the past year, with a growing number of Americans expressing strong opposition to its tactics.

President Donald Trump has continued to defend the operation and criticised Minnesota’s leadership, repeating claims of widespread corruption and voter fraud in the state. Those claims have been rejected by state officials and contradicted by election results, which show Trump lost Minnesota in the 2016, 2020 and 2024 elections.

As investigations into Good’s death continue, civil liberties organisations are calling for independent oversight. At the same time, protesters say the case has become a symbol of broader concerns about federal power, policing and the treatment of civilians during immigration operations.