Weekly Brief Jan. 12: Domestic Militarization Watch

January 12, 2026

🪧 Communities Respond to Fatal Shooting by ICE 

• The fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent has sparked nationwide protests and vigils, with tens of thousands marching in Minneapolis and more than 1,000 demonstrations across the country condemning ICE’s use of force and the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown. Critics say the federal government’s self-defense narrative reflects a broader pattern of unchecked enforcement power. (Reuters, 11 Jan. 2026).
• Minneapolis police declared protests near ICE-associated sites an “unlawful assembly” and forcibly cleared crowds, including outside downtown hotels believed to house federal agents, deploying more than 200 officers and making at least 29 arrests after confrontations with demonstrators. (The Business Standard, 11 Jan. 2026).
• Minnesota State Troopers in riot gear were deployed to disperse protesters, underscoring escalating tensions between demonstrators and law enforcement. Local officials criticized the heavy-handed response, warning it inflames public anger rather than addressing community concerns. (The Business Standard, 11 Jan. 2026).
• Gov. Tim Walz placed the National Guard on standby and warned residents to prepare for troops on the streets, while condemning the federal response and urging peaceful protest amid fears that further escalation could worsen the crisis. (KDFW News, 7 Jan. 2026).
• Good’s killing occurred as the Trump administration intensified immigration enforcement in Minnesota, deploying thousands of federal agents since December in operations critics say disproportionately target Somali communities, fueling public outrage and raising questions about federal accountability. (Reuters, 11 Jan. 2026).

🏫 Minneapolis Public Schools Close and Shift to Remote Learning Amid Safety Concerns 

• Minneapolis Public Schools (MPS) announced there would be no in-person classes on Jan. 8 and Jan. 9 due to “safety concerns” following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good as well as other heightened ICE activity near school campuses, including incidents around Roosevelt High School that prompted lockdowns and disruption of dismissals. (Minneapolis Public Schools, 7 Jan. 2026).
• The incidents have prompted educators and union leaders to publicly demand ICE stay away from schools, stating that the presence of federal agents has caused anxiety among students and staff and disrupted learning, with some families keeping children home. Superintendent and union officials said the district will offer optional e-learning through Feb. 12 to mitigate these (AP News, 9 Jan. 2026). 

🔎 Shooting Investigation Draws Scrutiny

• Federal authorities have taken exclusive control of the investigation, blocking Minnesota officials from accessing key evidence and ending plans for a joint probe. The FBI and U.S. Attorney’s Office reversed an earlier agreement with the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, prompting state officials, including Gov. Tim Walz, to warn the move undermines transparency and public trust. (WBUR, 8 Jan. 2026)
• Pressure for a transparent, coordinated investigation is growing among state and federal leaders. Sens. Tina Smith and Amy Klobuchar urged Attorney General Pam Bondi to allow a joint federal-state investigation, while local leaders, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, have emphasized the need for local involvement to ensure public trust in the outcome. (Reuters, 9 Jan. 2026).
• Mutual distrust between federal and state authorities has deepened tensions and public criticism. Minnesota prosecutors and officials have challenged the Trump administration’s handling of the case, with Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty exploring a parallel state review to preserve evidence and ensure independent oversight. (PBS, 8 Jan. 2026).
• The investigation’s handling has fueled broader criticism of ICE and federal accountability mechanisms. By centralizing control and initially defending the agent’s actions, the Trump administration has intensified concerns that federal law enforcement is shielding itself from independent scrutiny, reinforcing national calls for immigration enforcement reform. (TIME, 12 Jan. 2026).