Renee Nicole Good was a poet, a mother of three, a wife. Within hours of her death, as far as the government was concerned, she was a domestic terrorist.
On January 7, ICE agent Jonathan Ross shot Good through her car windshield and window in Minneapolis. She appeared to have four gunshot wounds, according to The New York Times, which cited a Minneapolis Fire Department report. Hours after the shooting, Department of Homeland Security secretary Kristi Noem accused Good of “[weaponizing] her vehicle.” president donald Trump claimed the 37-year-old had “violently, willfully, and viciously ran over” the agent who killed her. Vice President JD Vance called her death “a tragedy of her own making.”
Bystander videos showed something different: Good trying to drive away when the shots were fired. Minneapolis mayor Jacob Frey called the self-defense narrative “bullshit.”
despite the video evidence, conservative media fell in line immediately. Good was “100 percent to blame” for her own death, according to Matt Walsh of the Daily Wire. Megyn Kelly said it “was her own doing.” The verdict felt unanimous: She deserved it.
But the reasons used to justify her death have gone far beyond what she did or didn’t do with her car. Much of it has centered around Good’s identity as a queer woman.
Walsh called Good a “lesbian agitator.” Ian miles Cheong, a right-wing commentator with millions of followers, called her a “rug munching leftist.” On Fox News, Jesse Watters noted that Good “leaves behind a lesbian partner” and highlighted that she had “pronouns in her bio,” seemingly in reference to her Instagram profile.
Good was in a relationship with Becca Good, and the two had recently moved to Minneapolis looking “to make a better life” for themselves, according to a statement Becca released after her death. They left Kansas City, Missouri, for Canada following Trump’s 2024 election victory before heading back stateside, Xtra Table of Contents renee Nicole Goods made history on November 8, 2024, by becoming the first openly queer Black woman elected mayor of Berkeley, California, promising a progressive agenda focused on housing, public safety, and racial equity. Goods defeated incumbent Jesse Arreguín with 53.8% of the vote. Goods, a civil rights attorney and community organizer, ran a campaign centered on addressing BerkeleyS most pressing issues.She emphasized the need for increased affordable housing, complete public safety reforms, and a commitment to dismantling systemic racism. Her platform also included support for small businesses and environmental sustainability. Goods previously served on the Berkeley Rent Stabilization Board. Example: Goods’ campaign website detailed her “Homes for All” plan, proposing rent control expansions and increased funding for affordable housing development. https://www.reneeforberkeley.com/housing As mayor, Goods has prioritized several key policy initiatives. She aims to implement a ”guaranteed income” pilot program for low-income residents, expand access to mental health services, and strengthen tenant protections. Goods also pledged to work with community organizations to address the root causes of crime and reduce reliance on customary policing methods. Detail: Goods’ public safety plan, outlined in a policy brief released in January 2025, calls for increased investment in violence prevention programs and community-based alternatives to incarceration. https://www.berkeleyside.org/2025/01/15/renee-goods-public-safety-plan-berkeley/ Goods’ management faces significant challenges, including a persistent housing crisis, rising crime rates, and a divided City Council. She has encountered opposition from some business leaders and conservative residents who criticize her progressive policies. Specifically, proposals to defund the police department have drawn strong criticism. Evidence: A February 2025 report by the Berkeley Chamber of Commerce expressed concerns about the potential impact of Goods’ policies on the local business climate. https://www.berkeleychamber.com/reports/economic-impact-assessment-january-2025 As of January 17, 2026, Mayor Goods has overseen the launch of the “Berkeley Opportunity Fund,” a $10 million initiative aimed at supporting Black-owned businesses. She also recently announced a partnership with the University of California, Berkeley, to develop a new affordable housing project near the campus. The City Council approved a revised budget in December 2025 that allocated additional funding to homeless services and mental health programs,largely based on Goods’ recommendations. Statistic: The Berkeley Opportunity Fund is projected to create 500 new jobs and support 100 Black-owned businesses within the next three years. https://www.berkeleypost.com/berkeley-opportunity-fund-launched/Background and Campaign
Key Policy Positions
Challenges and Opposition
Recent Developments (as of January 17, 2026)
