On a tense Wednesday in Minneapolis, President Donald Trump defended the actions of federal agents following a tragic incident involving the shooting of a woman by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). The president’s characterization of the event has sparked significant controversy and raised questions about the narrative surrounding it.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump claimed that the woman involved, who remained unidentified, was “disorderly, obstructing and resisting.” He stated that she “violently, willfully, and viciously ran over” an ICE officer, characterizing the agent’s actions as a justified act of self-defense. These statements have been met with skepticism, particularly given the events unfolding in the community.
Yet, video evidence complicates the narrative. Footage of the incident raises doubts about whether the officer was truly in imminent danger, leaving many to question the justifications for the shooting. This incident occurred just blocks from where George Floyd was murdered, eliciting significant emotional responses within a community still healing from that trauma.
Amber Sherman, a political strategist and organizer deeply familiar with the Minneapolis landscape, spoke to the renewed trauma felt by residents. “That was a very traumatizing time for a lot of people,” she explained. “They’re reliving a lot of that trauma right now as they’re witnessing the police respond in this very violent way.” Sherman emphasized how the presence of numerous officers responding aggressively adds to the stress faced by individuals who have already experienced profound loss and grief.
U.S. Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, representing the very district where these events unfolded, condemned the shooting as “unconscionable and reprehensible.” She noted that the victim was a “legal observer” within the context of the administration’s heightened immigration enforcement in Minneapolis, which has primarily targeted Somali immigrants—a community already under significant strain.
Omar conveyed her condolences to the victim’s family, expressing heartbreak over the loss caused by what she deemed the “reckless and deadly actions” of the Trump administration. In a direct rebuke to Trump’s assertions of self-defense, she took to X, responding with, “You’re lying. There was no attempt to run the officer over and no ICE agents appear to be hurt.” Her statement underscores the perceived disconnect between the administration’s claims and the lived experience of those involved.
Jolanda Jones, a Texas State Representative and criminal defense attorney, shared her skepticism regarding the administration’s quick defensive stance. “Whenever there’s anything with excessive force, they’re going to say you did something and it was self-defense,” she asserted, highlighting a pattern of behavior that many have observed in law enforcement’s handling of similar incidents. “If I were the lawyer representing the woman who was murdered today by the US government, I’d sue [Trump] too… I’d sue everyone,” she articulated, illustrating the depth of anger and frustration felt among legal advocates.
Sherman went further, condemning the administration’s narrative as being part of a broader “fascist playbook.” She emphasized that the focus on power, rather than justice, has led to systemic issues in responding to violence and racism. “They care about being in power, wielding white supremacy,” she claimed, framing the incident within a larger context of racial and societal inequities.
Despite the trauma inflicted by such incidents, Sherman encouraged the Minneapolis community to remain mobilized and engaged. “Continue to show up when responding to these different ICE calls,” she urged. “They should not take what happened today as a reason to step back,” reinforcing the need for perseverance in the face of ongoing societal challenges.