Kimmel’s Emmy Gambit: Trump vs. Minneapolis

Jimmy Kimmel dangled his Emmy as bait to lure President Trump into yanking ICE from riot-torn Minneapolis, exposing a comedian’s wild bid to dictate federal law enforcement.

Story Snapshot

ICE agent fatally shoots Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis on January 7, 2026, sparking protests and federal escalation.
Kimmel mocks Trump on January 12, offering his Emmy if ICE pulls out, then suggests redirecting agents to Iran.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey demands ICE leave, echoing 2020 unrest amid sanctuary city clashes.
DHS Secretary Kristi Noem defends the shooting as self-defense against a “domestic terrorist.”
Protests persist as Trump ramps up immigration enforcement in Democratic strongholds.

The Fatal Shooting Ignites Minneapolis

An ICE agent shot and killed Renee Nicole Good, 37, on January 7, 2026, during an operation in south Minneapolis. DHS reported Good tried to ram agents with her vehicle, justifying the response as self-defense. Protests erupted immediately, with crowds blocking streets and clashing with law enforcement. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey demanded ICE “get the f— out” of the city by January 8. Tensions echoed the 2020 George Floyd riots, turning the area into a flashpoint once more.

Good became the protests’ symbol. DHS tied her to criminal aliens released due to Minnesota’s sanctuary policies under Governor Tim Walz. Hundreds of detainers went ignored, fueling federal frustration. Representative Ilhan Omar criticized ICE, drawing accusations of inciting violence from conservatives. The incident highlighted deepening rifts between federal authority and local Democrats.

Kimmel’s Monologue Targets Trump and ICE

Jimmy Kimmel addressed the shooting on his January 9, 2026, episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, disputing White House claims that Good ran over an officer or acted as a domestic terrorist. He portrayed her as an innocent “mom in a Honda.” By January 12, Kimmel escalated, slamming Trump’s decision to deploy more ICE agents to quell protests. Kimmel sarcastically urged Trump to send those agents to Iran instead, where they “could help” anti-regime protesters Trump praised online.

Kimmel framed ICE’s presence as pouring “grease on a grease fire.” He praised Minneapolis protesters as patriotic while mocking DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s narrative. Noem insisted Minnesota honor ICE detainers and labeled Good a terrorist threat. Kimmel’s routine tied domestic enforcement to Trump’s foreign policy rhetoric, creating ironic contrast. Facts support DHS: vehicle assaults on agents demand decisive action, aligning with law-and-order priorities over celebrity sarcasm.

Trump Deploys ICE Amid Sanctuary Defiance

President Trump, in his second term post-2024 victory, ordered additional ICE agents to Minneapolis on January 12, 2026. This countered local resistance in a sanctuary jurisdiction. Frey and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries called for Noem’s ouster and ICE withdrawal. Trump simultaneously posted support for Iranian freedom fighters, offering U.S. aid—a point Kimmel weaponized for laughs. Protests continued into mid-January without resolution.

Federal-local power dynamics sharpened. ICE targeted undocumented immigrants with criminal records, validating operations amid non-cooperation. Kimmel’s Emmy offer emerged in this chaos: he promised to hand it over if Trump pulled ICE, blending humor with a direct challenge to executive authority. Common sense favors enforcement; sanctuary policies enable crime, and mocking agents risks public safety over punchlines.

Backlash and Broader Political Ripples

Fox News highlighted Kimmel’s remarks by January 13, sparking conservative backlash against his bias. Late-night ratings likely surged from the controversy, but it polarized viewers further. Minneapolis immigrant communities braced for intensified scrutiny, while Trump’s base cheered the show of strength. Long-term, the clash could sway 2026 midterms in Minnesota, energizing immigration debates.

Socially, narratives split: left sees federal overreach, right views justified response to violence. Kimmel’s Iran quip ignored agents’ core mission—securing borders, not overseas adventures. Facts align with conservative values: protect citizens first, reject celebrity interference in policing. Protests remained mostly peaceful per Kimmel, but DHS reports underscore real threats from unchecked migration.