Sen. Lisa Murkowski is calling for Minnesota authorities to be involved in the investigation of the fatal shooting of a 37-year-old mother of three by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement officer in Minneapolis, delivering a pointed rebuke to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who has argued that state investigators lack jurisdiction.
“The videos I’ve seen from Minneapolis yesterday are deeply disturbing,” Murkowski wrote late Thursday on X. “As we mourn this loss of life, we need a thorough and objective investigation into how and why this happened — which will require full cooperation from the Departments of Justice and Homeland Security, along with the local authorities — and for the political rhetoric to be toned down.”
Murkowski said a joint state and federal investigation should lead to concrete recommendations and policy changes “to help prevent future tragedies,” adding that the shooting “was devastating, and cannot happen again.”
Her comments came after Noem said the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension does not have jurisdiction to investigate the death of Renee Nicole Macklin Good, who was shot while inside her Honda Pilot during a confrontation with two ICE officers. Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz said federal authorities withdrew from a cooperation agreement with state law enforcement — a claim Noem later confirmed.
“They have not been cut out; they don’t have any jurisdiction in this investigation,” Noem told reporters this week.
Murkowski said excluding state authorities from a fatal-use-of-force investigation involving a federal officer risks undermining public trust.
“I did find that a little confusing and concerning,” Murkowski said. “It seems like the state authorities are being iced out of it — no pun intended — which just seems unusual.”
“When you have it appear that, ‘Well, this is only going to be a federal investigation and no state involved,’ it just allows for suspicions that are unnecessary,” she added, warning that such an approach could fuel fears of a cover-up or misconduct.
Beyond the investigation itself, Murkowski also urged federal officials to examine whether ICE officers are receiving adequate training to de-escalate tense encounters during immigration enforcement operations, which have drawn protests nationwide.
“Immigration enforcement activities have greatly increased, leading to heightened tensions across the country,” she wrote. “We need to ensure ICE officers have the necessary training and resources to safely — and with empathy and respect for human life — carry out these activities.”
Minnesota’s Democratic senators welcomed Murkowski’s intervention, thanking her for publicly pressing federal authorities to allow state participation.
“Thank you, Senator Lisa Murkowski, for speaking out with clarity and compassion,” Sen. Amy Klobuchar wrote on X. “We need full transparency and accountability in this investigation, which the Minnesota BCA has to be part of.”
Sen. Tina Smith echoed the sentiment, replying: “Thank you, Lisa. Minnesota authorities have to be involved in the investigation.”
Murkowski’s comments mark a rare moment of public dissent from a Republican senator on immigration enforcement tactics, underscoring growing bipartisan concern over accountability, transparency, and the use of force as federal immigration operations expand nationwide.
