The Protector, the Presidency, and Renee Nicole Good.
The Imperial State: The Policy Path to the Minneapolis Killings
How a "47-Day" Academy and the "Absolute Immunity" Doctrine ignited a flashpoint.
In January 2026, the intersection of aggressive federal policy and rapid agency expansion has turned American cities—most notably Minneapolis—into flashpoints for lethal force. The shift from "targeted enforcement" to what critics call the Imperial State has been fueled by a specific set of administrative decisions designed to maximize speed over safety.
1. Operation Metro Surge and the Twin Cities Flashpoint
In December 2025, the Trump administration launched Operation Metro Surge, deploying over 3,000 ICE and Border Patrol agents into the Minneapolis–St. Paul area. While the stated goal was to apprehend "the worst of the worst," the execution has resulted in the deaths of U.S. citizens:
- Renée Good (January 7, 2026): A 37-year-old mother of three shot and killed in her vehicle by an ICE agent. Federal officials initially labeled her a "domestic terrorist," but video evidence analyzed by local officials showed she was merely observing federal activity.
- Alex Pretti (January 24, 2026): A 37-year-old intensive care nurse at the Minneapolis VA. Pretti was shot multiple times in the back after attempting to assist a fellow protester. Despite federal claims he was armed, witnesses and footage indicate he was holding only a cell phone.
2. Policy-Driven Escalation: The "47-Day" Training
The rise in shootings is tied to the "supercharging" of ICE under the One Big Beautiful Bill Act (OBBBA), which tripled the agency's budget to $28.7 billion for 2026. To meet the goal of doubling the force to 22,000 agents:
- Shortened Training: The ICE Academy was slashed from 22 weeks to just 8 weeks (47 days)—a number symbolic of Trump’s status as the 47th President.
- Lowered Standards: The hiring age was dropped to 18, and Spanish language courses were eliminated in favor of translation apps, shifting focus almost entirely to "tactical and operational drills."
The Absolute Immunity Doctrine
| Feature | Pre-2025 Standard | 2026 "Imperial" Standard |
|---|---|---|
| Immunity | Qualified (Limited) | Absolute (Total) |
| Recruit Age | 21+ | 18+ |
| Training | 22 Weeks | 8 Weeks (47 Days) |
| Strategy | Warrants | "Kavanaugh Stops" |
3. Rhetoric as a Catalyst
The "Protector" rhetoric used to justify these actions—framing specific communities as "garbage" or "invaders"—has created a "Drumhead" environment. By signaling to under-trained agents that the rules of engagement are flexible, the administration has "foreclosed" on bodily autonomy. As the State claims it must "destroy the history" (due process) to "save the future," the first link in the chain is forged.
Remember when Donald Trump vowed to be protector of women ‘whether they like it or not?’
Trump didn't protect her, he didn't defend her, he condemned her...
“A government that promises protection but delivers prosecution isn’t keeping you safe — it’s keeping you in line. ‘Public safety’ that protects everyone except the public is just branding. And once accountability becomes optional, so does your protection.”
The contrast between Donald Trump’s campaign rhetoric as a "protector" of women and the reality of the Renee Nicole Good shooting on January 7, 2026, serves as a flashpoint for the "Imperial Presidency" era. While the campaign promised a shield, the administrative response to the death of a 37-year-old American mother reveals a "protection" that is highly selective and conditional.
1. The Rhetoric: The "Protector" Promise
During the 2024 campaign, Trump told women they would "no longer be abandoned, lonely, or scared" because he would be their "protector." He framed his administration as a paternalistic force that would keep women safe from "foreign threats" and "violence" in their communities—declaring he would do so "whether the women like it or not."
2. The Reality: The Renee Good Shooting
On January 7, 2026, Renee Good—a U.S. citizen and mother of three—was fatally shot in her vehicle by ICE agent Jonathan Ross in Minneapolis. According to witness reports and preliminary 3D analysis, Good was acting as a "legal observer" or simply driving home after dropping her six-year-old son at school when she encountered an ICE operation.
3. Protection or Institutional Cannibalism?
The "Imperial Presidency" style of takeover is evident in how the administration handled the aftermath:
- The Narrative Flip: Instead of protecting a female citizen, the state machinery immediately moved to criminalize her. DHS Secretary Kristi Noem claimed Good had been "stalking" agents, effectively arguing that a woman exercising her right to observe the government had forfeited her right to "protection."
- The Jurisdiction Wall: By using "National Security" and federal supremacy laws, the administration shielded Agent Jonathan Ross from Minnesota's state laws. This is the "Soft-Glass Coup" in action: the laws meant to protect citizens (like murder investigations) are bypassed by the "higher" needs of the Imperial Executive.
- Selective Outrage: While the "Protector" narrative was built on shielding women from migrant crime, it offered no defense against state violence. In 2026, the "protector" only exists to shield you from the enemies he defines— not from the agents he employs.
Summary: The "Protection" Gap
The Renee Good incident suggests that under the Imperial Presidency, "protection" is a transaction. If you are a woman who supports the administration's "Operation Metro Surge," you are protected. If you are a woman like Renee Good—who watches, documents.
