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.
Speaking to the Detroit Economic Club on Tuesday, January 13, 2026, Trump sought to persuade the audience that the demonstrations were coordinated, asserting that protesters book hotel rooms and rehearse together.
Kimmel, the late-night host, pushed back against Trump’s assertions, insisting the protests are real. He argued that the Trump administration first tried to cast doubt on the circumstances of Good’s death and is now attempting to undermine trust in the protests themselves.
Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was shot and killed by ICE agent Jonathan Ross on January 7, 2026, in Minneapolis, Minnesota. The shooting occurred shortly after Good had finished dropping her child off at school.
The Department of Homeland Security defended the ICE agent, saying he acted in self-defense and that Good had used her vehicle as a weapon. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem also referred to Good as 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 sent an additional 2,000 ICE agents to Minnesota for a month-long immigration enforcement surge. Trump also revealed plans to dispatch another 1,000 agents to the state.
Kimmel faulted the Trump administration for keeping local officials out of the FBI’s investigation into Good’s death. Six federal prosecutors in Minnesota stepped down after the Justice Department pushed to pursue an investigation of 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 unfolding in Minnesota reflects the broader strain surrounding immigration enforcement during the Trump administration. Sending thousands of federal agents to a single city for immigration-related actions represents one of the largest domestic law enforcement efforts in recent years. This strategy has sparked disputes with Minneapolis officials who object to ICE operating within their community.
Good’s shooting has renewed discussions about how federal immigration agents use force and where their authority begins and ends. While ICE personnel are permitted to carry firearms and make arrests, fatalities involving agents are uncommon and usually handled through internal reviews. The Department of Homeland Security’s decision to classify Good as a domestic terrorist, even though she had not been charged with any crime before her death, represents a notable shift in tone.
The exit of six federal prosecutors in Minnesota represents a notable act of resistance within the Justice Department. Resignations coordinated in response to directives from Washington are extremely rare. By leaving their posts instead of investigating Good’s widow, they made clear that they regarded the order as improper or potentially unethical.
More and more, late-night hosts such as Kimmel are using their shows to weigh in on political happenings. They frequently tackle issues tied to the Trump administration, mixing humor with news-related commentary to engage viewers who might not keep up with traditional news sources.
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 state’s largest cities.
