At a Glance
- President Donald Trump acknowledged that ICE can make mistakes.
- He addressed the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good on Jan. 7.
- Trump used the briefing to criticize media, foreign leaders, and his own team.
Why it matters: The remarks highlight tensions between the administration and the public over immigration enforcement.
President Donald Trump delivered a lengthy briefing at the White House press room on Tuesday, marking one year since he took office. He used the platform to discuss a range of topics, from immigration enforcement to the economy, foreign policy, and international relations. The briefing was punctuated by comments that drew attention to the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE officer.
Press Briefing Highlights
During the session, Trump focused largely on the first year of his second presidency. He began by stating that the public has been distracted by clashes between immigration agents and the public rather than by allegations of fraud within Minnesota’s Somali-American community. He expressed frustration at the media, world leaders, and his own communications team.
Trump noted that he feels the public does not fully appreciate his economic accomplishments. He said, “Maybe I have bad public relations people,” adding that the administration is doing a better job than it is promoting. He cited economic data points to argue that Americans are prospering under his leadership, but he also warned that repeating the mistakes of President Joe Biden would be detrimental.
ICE and the Good Shooting
The most controversial portion of the briefing was Trump’s remarks about the shooting of Renee Nicole Good. Good was killed on Jan. 7 when ICE officer Jonathan Ross and other agents approached her stopped car and she began to drive. Trump said, “I felt horribly when I was told that the young woman, who was – had the tragedy,” and added that she was a Trump supporter.
He later addressed the incident in an interview with The New York Times, where he blamed Good for her own death. Trump quoted video that he claimed showed Good trying to hit Ross with her car. He said, “She behaved horribly,” and added, “And then she ran him over. She didn’t try to run him over. She ran him over.”
Trump also posted on Truth Social, claiming Good “violently, willfully, and viciously ran over the ICE Officer.” Videos from that day contradict his version of events.
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Jan. 7 | ICE officer Jonathan Ross shoots Renee Nicole Good |
| Tuesday | Trump acknowledges ICE can make mistakes |
Trump on the Economy and Public Perception
- Trump highlighted economic data points to show prosperity.
- He criticized the public’s lack of faith in his leadership.
- He urged better promotion of the administration’s achievements.
He compared himself to President Biden, stating he does not want to repeat the predecessor’s mistake of touting economic accomplishments when voters feel squeezed by prices. Trump said, “No, I hope I don’t make the same mistakes as him.”
Foreign Policy and Nobel Peace Prize
Trump offered a virtual tour of a globe that he hopes to remake and lamented not receiving a Nobel Peace Prize for his first year. He claimed he ended eight wars and believed he should have received the prize for “each war” he ended. When asked how winning the Nobel would help everyday Americans, he said, “What improved the lives of people, are people that are living. I saved probably tens of millions of lives in the wars.”
He blamed Norway for the snub, claiming the Norwegian government controls the Nobel Prize and that he lost respect for Oslo.
Greenland, NATO, and International Relations
Trump criticized European allies who oppose his plan to acquire Greenland, which belongs to Denmark, by purchase or force. Asked how far he would go to take the island, he replied, “You’ll find out.”
He also addressed concerns about NATO, saying, “The big fear I have with NATO is we spend tremendous amounts of money with NATO, and I know we’ll come to their rescue, but I just really do question whether or not they’ll come to ours.”
Key Takeaways
- Trump admitted ICE can make mistakes and discussed the Good shooting.
- He criticized the media and his own communications team for not promoting his achievements.
- Trump highlighted his foreign policy successes and criticized Norway for the Nobel snub.
- He expressed determination to acquire Greenland and questioned NATO’s reciprocity.
The briefing underscored Trump’s frustration with public perception, his focus on immigration enforcement, and his continued emphasis on foreign policy achievements.
