Fox News host Jesse Watters faced intense criticism after making remarks about a woman shot dead by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent in Minneapolis, emphasizing details about her social media profile and personal life rather than the circumstances of her death.
Watters discussed the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good during his program. Good, 37 years old, was killed during a confrontation with ICE agents conducting immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis.
“The woman who lost her life was a self-proclaimed poet from Colorado with pronouns in her bio,” Watters said on air. He added that Good leaves behind a lesbian partner and described her as a disruptor.
The Fox News host’s comments sparked immediate backlash across social media and from public figures. California state Sen. Scott Wiener responded sharply on social media. “In the pantheon of psychopaths, Jesse Watters is an apex predator psychopath,” Wiener wrote.
Journalist Mehdi Hasan described the host as heartless, cruel, and shameless in his coverage of Good’s death. Comedian Patton Oswalt also criticized Watters’ focus on Good’s social media profile and occupation as a poet.
The fatal shooting occurred on January 7, 2026, as ICE launched large-scale immigration raids in Minneapolis. Video from the scene shows an agent shouting at Good before another agent fired three times into her vehicle. Good suffered gunshot wounds to the head and was transported to a hospital, where she was pronounced dead.
Good’s mother, Donna Ganger, confirmed her daughter’s identity to local media. Ganger rejected characterizations that Good was part of an organized anti-ICE movement.
Minneapolis City Council Member Jason Chavez said Good was a U.S. citizen and an observer watching out for immigrant neighbors in the community. The shooting has intensified scrutiny of ICE tactics during immigration enforcement operations.
The Department of Homeland Security described the incident as domestic terrorism and claimed Good tried to run agents over with her vehicle. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said Good had been stalking and impeding ICE agents during their enforcement operations.
President Donald Trump blamed the left for the incident, stating on social media that the video showed Good was disorderly and that she ran over an ICE officer. An officer was struck by Good’s car during the confrontation, according to reports from the scene.
Gov. Tim Walz urged the public to reject what he called propaganda from the Trump administration. The governor disputed the federal government’s account of the events, saying he had viewed video of the incident.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey responded forcefully to the shooting at a press conference. “Get the f— out of Minneapolis,” Frey said, directing his comments at ICE. The mayor told the federal agency that its presence was creating danger rather than safety in the city.
Timmy Ray Macklin Jr. died in 2023 at age 36. Good leaves behind a 6-year-old son, as well as two older children ages 12 and 15.
The controversy surrounding Watters’ comments reflects broader tensions over immigration enforcement and media coverage of incidents involving federal agents. Critics argued that the Fox News host’s focus on Good’s personal characteristics rather than the circumstances of her death demonstrated insensitivity toward a woman killed during a law enforcement operation.
ICE operations in Minneapolis have been part of expanded immigration enforcement efforts under the Trump administration. The agency’s presence in the city has generated significant opposition from local officials and community members who argue that federal immigration tactics have become increasingly aggressive.
The shooting has raised questions about protocols governing when federal agents can use deadly force during immigration enforcement operations. Legal experts note that guidance from the Department of Homeland Security generally advises against firing at moving vehicles unless specific threat criteria are met.
Watters has faced criticism in the past for controversial segments on his Fox News program. His approach to covering Good’s death followed a pattern of focusing on personal details about subjects rather than examining policy questions or procedural issues surrounding newsworthy events.
The confrontation that led to Good’s death occurred in Minneapolis, where ICE agents were conducting enforcement operations. Witnesses and demonstrators were present at the scene, with some attempting to document the federal agents’ activities.
Good’s family members expressed shock at news of her death. Family members said they were prepared to care for the child.
The incident has become a flashpoint in ongoing debates about immigration enforcement, use of force by federal agents, and the role of community observers during ICE operations. Local officials in Minneapolis have called for a full investigation into the circumstances surrounding Good’s death.
Tensions between Minneapolis city leadership and federal immigration authorities have escalated since ICE intensified enforcement activities in the area. The city’s mayor and other officials have repeatedly called for ICE to cease operations within city limits, arguing that the federal presence undermines public safety and community trust.
As of January 8, 2026, investigations into the shooting continue, with state and local authorities working to determine whether the ICE agent’s use of deadly force was justified under applicable legal standards. The incident remains under review by multiple agencies.
Sources:
https://www.thedailybeast.com/fox-news-host-jesse-watters-slammed-over-hateful-comments-about-mom-renee-good-killed-by-ice-inminneapolis/
https://www.aol.com/lifestyle/fox-news-jesse-watters-dismisses-175943316.html
https://uk.news.yahoo.com/fox-news-host-slammed-over-124038854.html
https://www.foxnews.com/video/6387386599112
https://www.foxnews.com/video/6387368628112
https://www.foxnews.com/video/6387376407112
https://www.foxnews.com/opinion/david-marcus-ice-protesters-put-lives-risk-not-just-theirs