Opinion by:  Patricia L Johnson

In his recent newsletter, Tucker Carlson asked the question “How come so few conservatives are viewing this story through a human lens?”  Carlson was referring to the ICE shooting of 37-year-old Renee Good in Minneapolis.

All of us have heard the term “trickle-down” when referring to economics.  That term also applies to real life.  The individual holding the highest office in this country appears to have no respect for life, or laws.  For whatever reason, he believes he is above the law and his words are no less than a command from the big guy in the sky. 

Time will tell whether or not he is, indeed, above the law.  Eventually, our legislators will file the necessary court documents to determine whether or not President Trump was entitled to take military action against Venezuela, whether or not he’s entitled to keep Venezuela’s oil, whether or not he can “buy” Greenland, whether or not he can take military action against Columbia, Mexico, Cuba and any number of other countries.

The perverse attitude of our President has trickled down to cabinet members as well as some Maga followers.  The ICE officer that shot and killed Renee Good had apparently been in a position where he was dragged by a vehicle in the past, causing injury. When presented with a similar situation the officer may have been so fearful of being dragged again, that he didn’t give a second thought before shooting and killing Renee Good.  

On the other hand, Renee Good may have been absolutely terrified when the ICE agents approached her vehicle and tried her best to leave the scene.  Should she have stopped when the officers demanded, yes, of course.  But, should she have been shot at when she attempted to leave the scene?  Not according to DHS and Justice Department policy 044-05, Homeland Security Department Policy on the Use of Force.

The Department of Homeland Security and Justice Department policy on deadly force generally prohibits officers from shooting at a moving vehicle solely to disable it or prevent escape.  Shooting at the driver of a moving vehicle appears to be allowed only if someone in the vehicle is using deadly force other than the vehicle itself.  

President Trump was voted into office in 2024 to do what he promised he would do, if elected President, he has not done that.  Members of Congress, both House and Senate, were voted into office to meet the needs of “we the people”.  They are not doing their jobs, probably due to the fact they are being threatened by the Administration that if they don’t do this or that, the POTUS will make sure they are not reelected to their offices.  

The United States of America is not governed by threats, but by the will of the people.  When people like Marjorie Taylor Greene and Tucker Carlson start questioning the actions of the GOP you can bet something is not as it should be.

Fear is what appears to have caused this terrible tragedy, and will continue to cause tragedies all over this country until such time as our POTUS changes his attitude toward the citizens of the United States.  When President Trump starts showing respect to the citizens of the country, his cabinet might follow his lead.  It’s also possible that when US citizens are treated with respect by those in authority they will attempt to act accordingly and it may turn into a  win-win situation for all.

One thing is for sure, if we all followed Robert Fulghum’s “All I Really Need to Know, I learned in Kindergarten” we might be able to get along better in life.

© 2026 Patricia L Johnson