Minneapolis Protests, Immigration Enforcement Shootings, Running Venezuela - Up First Recap

Podcast: Up First

Published: 2026-01-09

Duration: 13 minutes

Summary

Protests continue in Minneapolis after an ICE agent kills a woman and federal agents take over the investigation. The episode also covers the rising pattern of immigration enforcement shootings and U.S. involvement in Venezuela's governance.

What Happened

Protests in Minneapolis have persisted for a second day following the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Renee Goode by an ICE agent. The federal government has taken over the investigation, sidelining state officials. Tensions are high, with community members chanting and holding signs against ICE's presence in the city. The FBI is now the sole entity investigating the shooting, raising concerns about the fairness of the investigation.

In Portland, Oregon, another immigration-related shooting occurred, drawing condemnation from city officials. The Department of Homeland Security blamed the victims, claiming they drove away during a traffic stop. This incident is part of a broader pattern of increased aggression in immigration enforcement under the Trump administration.

The episode highlights a noticeable rise in shootings by immigration authorities since Trump took office. Reports indicate at least 14 such incidents have occurred, with ICE agents increasingly deployed for high-profile operations in U.S. cities. The tactics have been criticized for their lack of crowd control training and the resultant rise in violence.

President Trump has suggested that the U.S. could be involved in running Venezuela for an extended period. Following the ousting of Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro, Trump intimated that U.S. oversight might last for years, potentially involving significant control over Venezuela's oil resources.

Oil executives are meeting with Trump as the U.S. plans to take and sell millions of barrels of Venezuelan oil. The administration claims the proceeds will benefit both American and Venezuelan people, although specifics remain unclear.

In terms of foreign policy, Trump's approach to Venezuela reflects a broader strategy of unilateral action. He has left the door open for military intervention, though currently, no U.S. troops are stationed in Venezuela. His conversation with Colombia's President Gustavo Petro further underscores the complex geopolitical dynamics in the region.

Key Insights

• The FBI is the sole entity investigating the fatal shooting of Renee Goode by an ICE agent in Minneapolis, sidelining state officials and raising concerns about the investigation's fairness.
• Since the beginning of the Trump administration, there have been at least 14 reported shootings by immigration authorities, indicating a rise in aggressive enforcement tactics.
• President Trump suggested that U.S. oversight in Venezuela could extend for years, potentially involving significant control over the country's oil resources following the ousting of President Nicolas Maduro.
• The U.S. government plans to take and sell millions of barrels of Venezuelan oil, with claims that the proceeds will benefit both American and Venezuelan citizens, though specific details remain unclear.