In a notable departure from many of his ideological allies, prominent conservative commentator Tucker Carlson has issued a stark critique of the political response to the fatal shooting of a woman by a U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent in Minneapolis.
A Call for Humanity Amid Political Point-Scoring
The incident occurred on Wednesday when Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old American citizen and mother, was shot and killed. Footage from the scene showed masked ICE agents approaching her vehicle, which was partially blocking a road. An agent identified as Jonathan Ross reached through her open driver's side window and, as she attempted to drive away, appeared to shoot her in the head at point-blank range.
In his subscriber-based newsletter on Thursday, Carlson slammed fellow conservatives for exploiting the tragedy. He argued they were using it "to score political points," while also criticizing liberal leaders like Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey for his inflammatory rhetoric ordering ICE out of the city.
"But it should be secondary to the tragedy of Renee Nicole Good losing her life," Carlson wrote. He emphasized that her death was a profound human loss, regardless of her views on immigration or partisan affiliation. "A woman got shot in the face. How come so few conservatives are viewing this story through a human lens?" he questioned.
Contrasting Narratives and a Divided Response
Carlson's plea for a non-partisan perspective stands in sharp contrast to the reactions from other high-profile conservatives. Former President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance claimed, without evidence seen in the released footage, that Good tried to run over officers. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem labeled the event "an act of domestic terrorism." Many on the right have celebrated or defended the shooting on social media.
Carlson drew a parallel to the killing of right-wing activist Charlie Kirk in September, accusing "the other side" of similar politicization. He noted that while most Democratic figures argued they were merely opposing Kirk's politics, Trump and Vance were quick to blame the "radical left."
Desensitization and the 'Just Another Headline' Phenomenon
Carlson extended his argument beyond the Minneapolis case, suggesting that global violence is numbing Americans to domestic tragedies. He pointed to debates over U.S. military actions, like the recent operation in Venezuela with a death toll of at least 75, and the ongoing conflict in Gaza, where U.S.-backed Israeli military actions continue.
"If the United States were in a better place, everyone, regardless of their politics, would pause when something like the Minneapolis shooting happens and at least recognize the human tragedy," Carlson wrote. He concluded grimly that in the context of countless overseas killings, "Good’s death doesn’t seem like such a big deal. She’s just another headline."
This commentary marks another point of divergence for Carlson from the MAGA movement he once championed on Fox News. Despite privately expressed disdain for Trump revealed in 2021 texts and his subsequent endorsement at the 2024 RNC, Carlson has since broken with the former president over continued involvement in the Israel-Gaza conflict, urging a focus on domestic American issues instead.
Following the shooting, Minneapolis residents took to the streets on Wednesday to protest ICE's presence and commemorate the life of Renee Nicole Good.
