Sidelining of DOJ's Civil Rights Division in ICE shooting is unusual, legal experts say

January 16, 2026

TL;DR

A dozen Justice Department prosecutors and officials have left their positions since the fatal shooting of Renee Good.
Senior DOJ leaders allegedly ordered federal prosecutors not to investigate Good's shooting death.
This decision is considered highly unusual and potentially in conflict with the Justice Department's manual for 'national interest' cases.
Legal experts expressed concern, calling the lack of Civil Rights Division involvement unheard of in such cases.
Six officials from the Civil Rights Division's criminal section resigned, citing concerns over declining civil rights enforcement.
At least six federal prosecutors in Minnesota also quit after being pressured to investigate Good's wife and treat the case as an assault on a federal officer.
The Civil Rights Division's criminal section typically handles cases involving law enforcement misconduct, including excessive force.
The Justice Manual requires coordination for 'national interest' cases, which involve novel legal issues or important public policy considerations, including those resulting in death from alleged civil rights violations.

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