Some Republicans Back Expanded ICE Training After Minneapolis Shooting

A small group of Republican lawmakers is signaling openness to Democratic calls for expanded training for Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers following the fatal shooting of 37‑year‑old Renee Good in Minneapolis. While many GOP leaders continue to defend the administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement posture, several moderates and committee leaders say better training could reduce the risk of violent encounters during operations.

GOP Voices Urge More Training, Not Full Criticism

Sen. Jim Justice (R‑W.Va.) said, “The more training they could have, the better it’ll be, because they’re dealing with some strange stuff going on that’s coming at them in a lot of different directions,” noting practical concerns such as officers masking their identities to avoid online doxxing. Rep. Michael McCaul (R‑Texas), vice chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, added that ICE officers already receive detailed instruction but that additional training would be useful: “Law enforcement needs training to be aware of how to handle certain situations.”

Sen. Rand Paul (R‑Ky.), chair of the Senate Homeland Security Committee, framed the problem differently—blaming sanctuary cities for forcing federal crackdowns—but said he was not opposed to more training.

Democratic Push For Reform And Oversight

Since Good’s killing, House Democrats have intensified demands for reforms at ICE, focusing on proposals to increase training requirements so officers can better defuse tense encounters with protesters and bystanders. A cohort of House Democrats is attempting to include language in this year’s Homeland Security funding bill that would expand ICE training standards and oversight.

Public Opinion, Political Fallout And Accountability

Polling from Quinnipiac and YouGov released this month indicates a majority of Americans believe ICE uses excessive force during immigration operations, and support for abolishing the agency has grown. Critics point out that Good’s death was reportedly the ninth ICE‑related shooting since President Trump returned to the White House, a statistic that has amplified calls for accountability and scrutiny of training and rules of engagement.

Some Democrats have moved beyond reform proposals and are pursuing accountability measures. Several House Democrats have filed articles of impeachment against Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and say they are pursuing a "process of accountability" over alleged ICE abuses that could lead to further action. Rep. Bennie Thompson (D‑Miss.), the top Democrat on the House Homeland Security Committee, accused Noem of signaling that agents could act with impunity.

Administration Response And Republican Pushback

The administration and ICE defenders reject claims of systemic wrongdoing. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem told reporters that ICE officers are “very highly trained and skilled,” and President Donald Trump defended the agency as working “very hard” to arrest and deport unauthorized immigrants. White House spokesperson Abigail Jackson said, “ICE officers conduct themselves with the utmost professionalism and integrity.”

Still, many Republicans on Capitol Hill oppose changes. Rep. Andrew Garbarino (R‑N.Y.), chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, questioned whether additional training would change split‑second decisions made in the field. Rep. Tony Gonzalez (R‑Texas) argued that some confrontations are driven by protesters’ behavior and that the issue requires broader de‑escalation by the public.

What’s Next

The Department of Homeland Security did not respond to requests for comment for this report. The most recent ICE guidelines on the use of force date from 2023, and it remains unclear whether the administration has modified those rules. Lawmakers on both sides have signaled they will continue debating whether enhanced training, clearer rules of engagement, and stronger oversight can reduce deadly encounters during enforcement actions.