Zeteo reports that two White House officials and an unnamed military source say President Donald Trump’s administration has privately discussed taking an aggressive posture if U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) personnel are arrested or prosecuted for alleged wrongdoing.
According to Zeteo correspondents Asawin Suebsaeng and Prem Thakker, one senior administration official described the internal directive as protecting accused agents “no matter what.” The outlet reports that two sources also claim Trump has privately floated responses that could include refusing to surrender an officer to state authorities, pursuing federal charges against Democratic or local officials on grounds such as “obstructing” immigration enforcement, or threatening to restrict federal funding to a state involved in such a case.
Zeteo also describes heightened tensions surrounding ICE operations in several U.S. cities over the past year, noting that some local leaders have opposed enforcement actions and tactics used during arrests.
The report comes amid scrutiny tied to the killing of Renee Nicole Good, 37, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, by an ICE agent identified as Jonathan Ross, 43. Zeteo writes that administration figures and allies have moved quickly to defend the agent and to argue that local courts and prosecutors should not have jurisdiction over the case.
Zeteo reports that officials around the White House and Stephen Miller, the president’s deputy chief of staff, had “gamed out” possible scenarios since early last year in which state or local prosecutors might attempt to arrest or prosecute federal immigration personnel accused of serious crimes, including homicide.
The outlet adds that, shortly after reports of the fatal shooting circulated online, administration allies publicly argued the victim was at fault or warned that Democrats would face consequences if they pursued accountability.
Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem labeled Good a “domestic terrorist,” according to Zeteo. The outlet also quotes an unnamed military policy official who said they were surprised by how quickly Noem defended the ICE agent and expressed concern about what the government might do next if it stops considering public backlash.
Minnesota authorities could still pursue charges, but Zeteo reports that sources believe the administration is already “primed to retaliate” if state prosecutors proceed.
An unnamed National Guardsman told Zeteo that the agent’s “weapons training” and “trigger discipline” were “completely f—— up,” while adding that these concerns were not the main issue in their view.
