Smith, speaking on his self-titled show, said the criticism intensified after a New York Post headline framed his comments as implicit support for the shooting. According to Smith, the headline failed to capture the full context of what he said, which he described as a deliberate mischaracterization of his views.
“The headline was misleading because even though I said what the headline said, that wasn't all I said,” Smith said, according to Complex.
According to ComplexSmith stressed that when he described the shooting as “entirely justified,” he was speaking strictly from a legal standpoint, not a moral or ethical one. Smith said attempts to frame his comments differently were inaccurate and politically motivated.
“I'm talking about legality when I'm talking about justification, nothing else,” Smith said. “Everything else is wrong. Morally and ethically wrong.”
Smith also denied claims that his comments were in line with right-wing ideology, saying critics tried to “paint a picture” that did not reflect his beliefs. He concluded his remarks by asserting control over his platform, saying:
“Thank God I have my own platforms to address bullsh*t like that.”
What Stephen A. Smith said after the shooting
In complexSmith's original comments were made just hours after Good was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis. On his SiriusXM show Straight Shooter, Smith said the killing was “totally unnecessary,” while also arguing that, from a legal perspective, the agent was “totally justified.”
Smith questioned the agent's actions from a humanitarian standpoint, suggesting that less lethal options were available.
“From a humanitarian perspective, though, why did he have to do that?” Smith said, according to the LA Times.
Smith doubles down as protests and scrutiny grow
Smith later doubled down on his position amid protests and public criticism, arguing that Good provoked the situation that led to her death. The LA Times reports Smith said the ICE agent would have been run over if he hadn't gotten out of the way, a claim disputed by local officials and video evidence.
Smith also accused media and commentators of trying to get him fired, specifically calling out the New York Post and media personality Keith Olbermann for what he described as misleading coverage.
“The moment you're dealing with law enforcement officials, you follow their orders so you can get home safely,” Smith said. “Renee Good didn't do that.”
Video evidence and official accounts clash
According to the LA Times, Video footage from multiple angles shows the ICE agent was not directly in front of Good's car when he opened fire. Local officials have said Good posed no immediate danger to ICE officers.
The LA Times also reports that a video posted by Alpha News shows Good calmly talking to agents before the shooting, telling them, “I'm not mad at you.”
Meanwhile, statements cited by AP News, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem described Good's actions as “an act of domestic terrorism,” while the Trump administration claimed the agent acted in self-defense.
Congress enters the picture
The murder of Good has now repeated on Capitol Hill, with Democrats and some Republicans demanding an investigation, policy changes and possible consequences for ICE and Noem.
This is reported by AP News that lawmakers demand a full investigation into Good's death, changes to ICE enforcement tactics, and in some cases, defunding ICE or impeaching Noem. The outlet also states that the shooting occurred after Good had dropped off her 6-year-old child at school.
House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries called the incident “a complete and total disgrace,” and said House Democrats are considering a “strong and forceful” response.
In AP News, Republican Senator Lisa Murkowski described the videos as “deeply disturbing” and called for a thorough, objective investigation.
As Renee Good's death becomes another reckoning over ICE enforcement, protesters are pushing for more political accountability.
Congress is debating next steps, and Smith remains defiant in his framing of the shooting.
