White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt drew renewed criticism after defending an ICE officer who fatally shot Renee Good during an operation in Minneapolis last week.
Fox News interrupted regular programming Monday, Jan. 12, to air an interview with Leavitt, 28, in which she provided updates on the Trump administration.
Leavitt discussed President Donald Trump’s upcoming visit to Michigan, rising tensions involving Iran and Venezuela, and protests that erupted in Minneapolis following the shooting.
During the interview, Leavitt said the ICE officer’s actions were “justified” and accused critics of harassing immigration agents.
She referred to Good as a “deranged lunatic woman” and claimed she attempted to ram the officer with her vehicle.
Fox News anchor John Roberts asked whether Trump stood behind the officer involved in the shooting.
“Absolutely,” Leavitt said. “President Trump was right about this all along. This deranged lunatic woman was trying to ram him over with her vehicle.”
Leavitt also said Trump will deliver an economic address in Michigan on Tuesday, telling voters that “the best is yet to come.”
The remarks sparked immediate backlash on social media, with critics accusing Leavitt of rendering judgment before the investigation is complete.
“Sick,” one user wrote on X.
“It always amazes me to see that cross necklace around her neck doesn’t burst into flames,” another user commented.
“Speaking ill of the dead is real classy, especially when it’s a blatant lie,” another post read.
Others defended Leavitt, saying the officer acted in self-defense.
“The woman drove her car into the ICE officer. That fact is irrefutable,” one supporter wrote. “Shame on Democrats for defending that violent act.”
Leavitt’s comments came a day after she accompanied Trump aboard Air Force One as he addressed reporters on Sunday, Jan. 11.
During that exchange, Trump clashed with a CNN reporter who asked what options he had been briefed on regarding Iran.
“Why would I tell you that?” Trump responded, repeatedly interrupting the reporter and criticizing CNN as “fake news.”
Leavitt was seen smiling behind the president as the exchange unfolded.
Several social media users focused on her reaction.
“Karoline’s smirk in the back,” one person wrote.
“Love Karoline in the background laughing at her boss cooking CNN,” another user said.
A third joked, “Karoline’s reaction to the nuking is priceless.”
Critics argue Leavitt’s role has increasingly centered on defending the administration’s most controversial actions, including the Minneapolis shooting, which remains under investigation.
The father of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent who fatally shot Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis has voiced concerns about his son’s well-being after the incident, saying he did nothing wrong and that he’s a good person.
The agent has been identified as Jonathan Ross, a 43-year-old ICE officer and Iraq War veteran. Ross has served with federal law enforcement for nearly two decades, including time with the U.S. Border Patrol and ICE’s Enforcement and Removal Operations.
He was seriously injured last year when he was dragged by a vehicle during a separate enforcement action for nearly 100 yards, leaving him badly injured and needing dozens of stitches.
His father, Ed Ross, has described his son as a conservative Christian and a devoted husband and father, and noted he is married to a Filipina woman.
“She hit him,” Ed said during an interview with Daily Mail, referencing Good. “He also had an officer whose arm was in the car. He will not be charged with anything.”
He described his son as “a committed, conservative Christian, a tremendous father, a tremendous husband,” adding, “You would never find a nicer, kinder person […] I couldn’t be more proud [sic] of him.”
