Rep. Nancy Mace (R-S.C.) fired back at Rep. Ilhan Omar (D-Minn.) this week after Omar condemned federal immigration enforcement actions in Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old U.S. citizen and mother of three, during an ICE operation on January 7. (TIME)
In a social media response to Omar’s criticism, Mace wrote: “You wouldn’t know the first thing about what’s best for Americans.” (X (formerly Twitter))
A flashpoint after a fatal shooting
The exchange comes amid mounting scrutiny of federal immigration tactics in Minnesota after Good’s death and the protests that followed. A federal judge in Minnesota issued a court order on Friday limiting how immigration agents can use force against peaceful protesters and observers in the Twin Cities area, following claims that agents used tactics such as tear gas and pepper spray during demonstrations. (Reuters)
Omar has been among the most outspoken Minnesota lawmakers calling for transparency and accountability after the shooting. She and other members of the Minnesota congressional delegation also attempted to visit an ICE-related facility in Minneapolis during the protests, but were turned away—an incident that intensified the political and legal fight over congressional oversight access. (The Guardian)
Mace pushes for subpoenas tied to Omar’s immigration records
Separately, Mace has escalated her own conflict with Omar through official congressional channels.
On January 7, Mace introduced a move during a House Oversight and Accountability Committee hearing—titled “Oversight of Fraud and Misuse of Federal Funds in Minnesota: Part I”—seeking subpoenas for immigration-related records connected to Omar and her brother. (Representative Nancy Mace) The committee hearing itself focused on allegations of major fraud and misuse of federal funds in Minnesota. (House Oversight Committee)
Mace’s push has been linked by her allies to long-circulating claims about Omar’s personal history; Omar has repeatedly denied such allegations, and they have not been proven. (The Tribune)
Where things stand now
For now, the public clash is playing out on two tracks: a fast-moving national story around federal immigration enforcement in Minneapolis and the political fallout from Good’s death, and an ongoing partisan fight in Congress where Mace is attempting to use oversight tools to target Omar.
As the Minneapolis situation continues to develop, the legal challenges and political scrutiny are likely to remain intense—especially with federal court involvement and continued pressure from local and national officials. (Reuters)
