Jeffries calls Noem 'stone-cold liar' over Minneapolis shooting response, demands investigations
Democratic leaders in Congress condemned the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis on Thursday, calling for immediate investigations and dismissing the narrative of the shooting provided by President Donald Trump's administration.
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., made the statement joined by Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., during a Thursday morning press conference. Jeffries condemned Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem as a "stone-cold liar," while Schumer said he doesn't trust the current administration to adequately investigate the shooting.
"Let me first say that the killing of Renee Nicole Good was an abomination, a disgrace. And blood is clearly on the hands of those individuals within the administration who have been pushing an extreme policy that has nothing to do with immigration enforcement connected to removing violent felons from this country," Jeffries said.
"We support the removal of violent felons from this country who are here illegally. But that's not what this administration has been doing under the so-called leadership of Kristi Noem, who's a stone-cold liar. There's no evidence at all that this was a justified shooting," he added.
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Schumer echoed Jeffries' statement but also emphasized the need for a thorough investigation on the state and local level.
"I watched the video. You felt like your stomach was being punched. Looking at the video, there seemed no justification for what these agents did. There needs to be a full investigation at the federal level. Although I have little faith in the FBI at doing a fair investigation or DHS, but at the local level as well," Schumer said.
The pair's press conference came as hundreds of protesters squared off with federal agents in Minneapolis on Thursday. Federal authorities appeared to detain at least four protesters during the demonstration.
Protesters were heard yelling "shame" at the officers and telling them to "go home."
ICE was seen shooting pepper balls and deploying tear gas against the protesters as multiple scuffles broke out.
Noem defended the actions of ICE agents after Wednesday's deadly shooting, saying they repeatedly instructed the victim to get out of her car and stop "obstructing" law enforcement, but she did not comply. She added that Good had been "stalking and impeding" agents all day.
Noem claimed the woman was trying to "weaponize her vehicle" and "attempted to run a law enforcement officer over."