Jimmy Kimmel has publicly denounced President Donald Trump‘s allegations about the protests in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Trump claimed the demonstrations following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent were staged.
In an address to the Detroit Economic Club on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, Trump tried to convince his audience that the protests were orchestrated, claiming that protesters “take hotel rooms and all practice together.”
Kimmel, a late-night host, refuted Trump’s claims, stating that the protests are genuine. He accused the Trump administration of initially trying to make the American public question the circumstances surrounding Good’s death, and now, making them question the authenticity of the protests.
Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was fatally shot four times by ICE agent Jonathan Ross on January 7, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The incident took place after Good had dropped her child off at school.
The Department of Homeland Security defended the ICE agent, stating that he acted in self-defense and that Good used her car as a weapon. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem labeled Good a domestic terrorist.
On the contrary, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey disputed the self-defense claim. A video shows Good’s vehicle turning away from the officer at the time of the shooting.
The incident ignited protests in Minneapolis and nationwide. Despite the chilling 16-degree weather, thousands gathered in Minneapolis. A candlelight vigil was also held at the Minnesota State Capitol.
In response, the Trump administration deployed an additional 2,000 federal ICE agents to Minnesota for a month-long immigration crackdown. Trump has also announced plans to send another 1,000 ICE agents to the state.
Kimmel criticized the Trump administration for excluding local authorities from the FBI investigation into Good’s death. Six federal prosecutors in Minnesota resigned following the Justice Department’s insistence on investigating Good’s widow.
Trump took to Truth Social on the morning of Tuesday, January 13, warning of a day of retribution and reckoning.
The situation in Minnesota is indicative of the broader tension over immigration enforcement under the Trump administration. The deployment of thousands of federal agents in a single city for immigration operations is one of the largest domestic law enforcement mobilizations in recent years. This approach has led to conflicts with Minneapolis officials who oppose the presence of ICE in their city.
Good’s shooting has reignited debates on the use of force by federal immigration agents and their jurisdiction. Although ICE agents are authorized to carry weapons and make arrests, incidents involving deadly force are relatively rare and are typically investigated internally. The Department of Homeland Security’s labeling of Good as a domestic terrorist, despite her not being charged with any crime before her death, marks a significant escalation in rhetoric.
The resignation of six federal prosecutors in Minnesota signifies a major protest within the Justice Department. Mass resignations in response to directives from Washington are rare. Their choice to resign instead of investigating Good’s widow suggests they deemed the directive as inappropriate or potentially unethical.
Increasingly, late-night television hosts like Kimmel are using their platforms to comment on political events. They often address controversies involving the Trump administration, blending news coverage with satire to reach audiences that may not follow traditional news outlets.
Protests continue in Minneapolis as federal agents remain in the city. The community has organized demonstrations demanding accountability for Good’s death and opposing what they perceive as aggressive federal immigration enforcement tactics. Despite the frigid weather, protesters continue to take to the streets in one of the city’s largest sustained protest movements in recent years.
