TL/DR –
A national poll reveals that 53% of American voters believe the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Nicole Good by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement official was not justified, while 35% believe it was. The survey, conducted by Quinnipiac University, found that female and Democratic respondents were more likely to consider the shooting unjustified, while male and Republican respondents were more divided. The survey also identified a drop in approval for Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem since the incident, with 52% disapproving of her performance.
The national poll was conducted after the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, triggering mass protests.
Most American voters believe the fatal Jan. 7 shooting by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement official was unjustified, a new national poll reveals.
In a Quinnipiac University survey conducted shortly after Renee Nicole Good was fatally shot by a federal agent in Minneapolis, 53% of respondents stated the shooting was not justified, while 35% believed it was. An additional 12% did not express an opinion.
\”Most participants think the ICE agent should not have opened fire,\” Quinnipiac University Polling Analyst Tim Malloy said. \”However, over one-third believe it was justified.\”
The poll surveyed 1,133 registered voters and has a margin of error of ± 3.7 percentage points.
Poll indicates 8 in 10 viewed video of shooting
The poll, which occurred over four days starting on Jan. 8, included responses during weekend protests nationwide protesting Good’s death. Calls for the arrest of the officer responsible for the shooting, Jonathan Ross, have increased, as local leaders contest federal officials’ account of the events and handling of the investigation.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem defended the officer’s actions hours post-shooting, attributing it to self-defense and alleging Good’s attempt to strike the agents with her car was “domestic terrorism.”
The incident’s videos, captured near Good’s Minneapolis residence, have gone viral online. They display multiple law enforcement officers approaching Good’s SUV, halted in the middle of a street. One officer is seen trying to open the driver’s side door, as someone shouts, “Get out of the (expletive) car.”
Video analysis by USA TODAY indicates Good’s vehicle was turning away from the officer who fired at her. The agent fired three shots—one at the front windshield and two through the open driver’s side window as Good moves past—all fired after the agent had cleared the vehicle’s path.
Over 80% of voters surveyed noted they had viewed the widely shared video of the encounter.
Opinions on shooting vary by gender, party affiliation
The poll results indicate men are more conflicted about the shooting’s details than women.
Survey results showed 42% of men think the shooting was justified, while 44% said it was not. For women, the majority, 61%, believe the shooting was unjustified, and 30% believe it was justified.
Republican respondents tended to support the shooting as “justified” more than Democrats and independents.
Most Republicans, 77%, felt the shooting was justified. Only 4% of Democrats concurred, and 92% disagreed. Independents largely sided with Democrats: 59% called it unjustified, and 28% justified.
Overall, 4 in 10 voters approved of how ICE is enforcing immigration laws. A majority—57%—did not agree with the agency’s approach, mirroring Quinnipiac University’s July 2025 poll results.
Homeland Security Secretary Noem’s approval rating declines
Following the shooting, several Democratic lawmakers have called for the impeachment of Noem, who oversees the agency responsible for ICE.
Public opinion of Noem has slightly dropped: 36% of voters approve her performance following Good’s death while 52% disapprove and 12% expressed no opinion.
This contrasts with Quinnipiac University’s July 2025 poll, which showed a 39% approval and 50% disapproval of Noem’s performance.
Among Republicans, Noem enjoys broad support with 77% approval. However, more than 8 in 10 Democrats—85%—and a majority of independents—57%—disapprove of her performance.
Kathryn Palmer is a politics reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at kapalmer@usatoday.com and on X @KathrynPlmr. Subscribe to her daily politics newsletter here.
—
Read More US Political News