What to Know
The name of the Immigration and Customs Enforcement agent who shot and killed Renee Good is known to the public at this point, but that didn’t stop Kristi Noem from accusing a reporter of doxxing him. On CBS News’ Face the Nation, host Margaret Brennan tried to ask the Secretary of Homeland Security for an update on Jonathan Ross’s health and hospitalization status. But instead of just answering the question, Noem focused on the fact that Brennan referred to Ross by his name.
Brennan started to say, “Let me talk to you about the officer, Jonathan Ross. He was struck. He was hospitalized—”
Noem interrupted.
“Don’t say his name,” Noem interjected. “I mean, for heaven’s sakes, we- we don’t- we shouldn’t have people continue to dox law enforcement when they have an 8,000%… increase in death threats against them.”
When speaking of the alleged 8,000% increase in death threats, Noem seemed to be referencing a report from her own agency. On October 30, 2025, the Department of Homeland Security shared a press release titled “8000% Increase in Death Threats Against ICE Law Enforcement as They Risk Their Lives to Remove the Worst of the Worst.”
“His name is public,” Brennan reminded Noem. But Noem didn’t seem to think that this mattered. “I know, but that doesn’t mean it should continue to be said,” she responded.
She claimed that Ross ‘got attacked with a car that was trying to take his life.’
Earlier in their conversation, Noem tried to say that Good “weaponized her car and threatened the life of the law enforcement officer and those around him.” When Brennan said, “Well, you know that it is in dispute about weaponizing a car versus driving forward, but I’ll put that aside,” Noem shot back with, “No it’s really not. Everybody can watch the videos and see that.”
Similarly, when trying to explain why people should not refer to Ross by name, Noem continued to frame him as a victim. “His life- he got attacked with a car that was trying to take his life, and then people have attacked him and his family, and they are in jeopardy,” she said. “And we have law enforcement officers every day who are getting death threats and getting attacked at their hotels and they are…getting ice thrown at them.”
But Brennan tried to revert back to the original question. “Well, can you tell me about his status right now?” she asked. “…CBS reported that he did have internal bleeding in the torso, but he was released that same day. So is he back at work?” Previously, CBS cited two unnamed U.S. officials who claimed that Ross “suffered internal bleeding to the torso following the incident.”
BRENNAN: Tell me about the officer, Jonathan Ross KRISTI NOEM: Don't say his name! I mean, for heaven's sake, we shouldn't have people continue to dox law enforcement BRENNAN: His name is public NOEM: I know, but that doesn't mean it should continue to be said
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) January 18, 2026 at 10:45 AM
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Noem declined to share this information.
She claimed that Ross is “healing,” but said she wouldn’t “talk about his medical records.” Noem added, “I know that you know that in itself is his prerogative to discuss his health. But we’re hopeful that all of our law enforcement officers know that they can go out and do their job, apply the law equally to everyone and that they can do so safely, and that the media and people aren’t going to attack them for standing up for what’s right.”
On social media, people accused Noem of using “devious deflection skills” and “trying to cover this up.”
One critic wrote, “So… People shouldn’t SAY his already publicized name cuz it might endanger him… But he can SHOOT other people multiple times in the face with no investigation?” Others argued that Noem was being “ridiculous” because people already know his name. Someone else said, “She thinks the internet can be scrubbed of his name if people stop saying it.”
