National Organization for Women

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Florida NOW Condemns Kristi Noem’s Irresponsible and Inflammatory Mischaracterization of the Killing of Renee Good by an ICE Officer

For Immediate Release: January 15, 2026   President Julie Kent, Florida NOW, president@flnow.or

Orlando, FL — Jan 15, 2026 — The Florida National Organization for Women (Florida NOW) condemns Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem for her premature, misleading, and politically charged public statements after the killing of 37-year-old Minnesota mother and U.S. citizen Renee Nicole Good, who was fatally shot by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer in Minneapolis.

Video evidence and statements from local officials have not supported Noem’s claim that the incident was an act of “domestic terrorism” or that Good intentionally used her vehicle as a weapon against ICE officers — claims the Homeland Security Secretary made before basic facts were verified.

Renee Good was a devoted mother of three whose life was taken during an encounter with federal agents in her own neighborhood. Initial reporting and video analysis indicate that Good was not engaged in organized violence and had no known political motive; instead, she was attempting to leave the scene when an ICE officer fired into her vehicle.

“Making definitive claims about motive or intent before facts are established is reckless and undermines public trust in the responsible leadership the public expects,” said Julie Kent, President of Florida NOW. “Kristi Noem’s statements have instead fueled misinformation and shifted attention away from both the loss of Renee Good and the very real need for accountability in law enforcement conduct.”

Florida NOW emphasizes that irresponsible rhetoric from public officials can:

  • Erode public trust in legitimate investigations by conflating unrelated concepts like terrorism with undetermined incidents.
    • Distract from serious issues, including oversight of ICE conduct, excessive use of force, and failures in accountability.
    • Divert attention from the urgent need for gun safety reforms and responsible firearm use policies.
    • Deepen fear and division at a time when clarity and compassion should guide public dialogue.

“Renee Good’s death reflects broader issues of unaccountable force by federal law enforcement and the normalization of lethal outcomes in situations that demand restraint,” said Debbie Deland, Vice President of Florida NOW. “Attempts to frame this tragedy as ‘terrorism’ without verified evidence make it harder to address the institutional problems that put families and communities at risk.”

Florida NOW calls on elected officials and DHS leadership to:

  • Clear the public record of unverified claims and ground public statements in verified facts.
    • Support a transparent, independent investigation into the actions of the ICE officer involved.
    • Review and reform ICE’s use-of-force policies and accountability mechanisms.
    • Refrain from politicizing an individual’s death for narratives that the evidence does not support.
    • Prioritize evidence-based policies that reduce gun violence and protect communities, including reform of federal law enforcement practices.

Florida NOW remains committed to advocating for truthful public communication, meaningful reform, and justice for women harmed by preventable violence.

### Media Contact:
Debbie Deland
vp@flnow.org
407-234-6408