Vice President J.D. Vance defended the self-defense claim of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent who shot a Minneapolis woman, vowing that the White House will not tolerate any form of political violence.

He also pledged that the White House would intensify efforts to identify the funding and organizational networks believed to be behind the increasing attacks on federal immigration agents as it combats domestic terrorism.

"They should not be encouraged by the fact that they have an administration in power that will not tolerate any form of political violence for the first time in American history," Vance told reporters at a White House press conference on Thursday.

Vance made the remarks as federal authorities investigate the shooting of Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis during an immigration enforcement operation.

He repeatedly emphasized that the officer acted in self-defense and dismissed claims that the shooting was a murder.

"She tried to run the man over with her car. The officer shot her. He defended himself," Vance said.

Vance strongly criticized media coverage of the incident, accusing it of endangering officers and distorting the facts.

"The way the vast majority of the media has covered this incident is utterly shameful," he said. "It puts our law enforcement officers in danger every single day."

Vance pointed to a CNN headline, stating that the media deliberately framed the incident as an "attack" rather than a "shooting."

"The reason the word 'attack' was used so intentionally is because this was an attack on federal law enforcement," he said. "It was an attack on law and order, and it was an attack on the American people."

He stated that President Donald Trump and he support immigration enforcement officers.

"The president stands with ICE. I stand with ICE. We stand with all law enforcement officers," Vance said.

Vance accused some reporters of spreading false claims about the deceased woman.

"Everyone who has repeatedly told the lie that this was an incident where an innocent woman driving her car in Minneapolis was shot by a law enforcement officer ought to be ashamed of themselves. Every single one of you," he said.

When asked if he was prejudging the outcome of the investigation, Vance said he couldn't know the woman's intentions but stated the officer had reason to feel his life was in danger.

"I can't know what was in the heart or the mind of the person," Vance said. "What I do know is that she broke the law."

He said the officer had "every reason to believe he was under threat of serious bodily harm, even threat of death," adding that the woman "accelerated to the point that she was going to hit the man."

Vance acknowledged that the debate over whether the woman acted out of panic or intent was valid, but dismissed claims that the shooting was not justified.

"Was she panicked, or did she actually intend to run this officer over with her car? That is a reasonable debate to have," he said.

"What is not reasonable is for so many of you to be out there in the media making a mockery of this by suggesting that this woman was an innocent victim and that the ICE officer committed murder," he said.

Vance also stated that the administration believes there is a broader, organized movement seeking to disrupt immigration enforcement.

"There is an entire network that exists, and frankly, some in the media are complicit in it. They are attempting to incite violence against our law enforcement officers," he said.

"Part of our investigative work is to get to the bottom of this. Who is funding this, who is supporting this, who is agitating this... Who is directing protestors to show up and commit acts of violence against our law enforcement officers?" he said. "There is an entire network that exists."

He urged those who criticize the administration's immigration policies to express their opposition through elections rather than confronting law enforcement officers.

"Why don't you go to the ballot box? Why don't you vote? Why don't you organize?" Vance said, adding that some activists are "inciting people to go and commit violence against our law enforcement officers."

Vance said that to de-escalate political tensions, attacks on police must stop and laws must be enforced, citing a claim that violent crime decreased by 20% over the past year.

"Have debates about policy. Attack me. Attack the President of the United States. But do not attack our law enforcement officers," he said. "They are not policymakers. They are simply enforcing the law."

Vance criticized Minnesota leaders, particularly Democratic Gov. Tim Walz, accusing them of contributing to hostility against federal agents.

Vance called for the governor's resignation, stating, "The real problem that Minnesota needs to focus on is that they are riling people up."

"Minneapolis officials are riling people up to commit violence against ICE officers," Vance said.

He also added that any attempts by state or local authorities to prosecute ICE agents would fail.

"This was a federal law enforcement officer doing federal law enforcement activity. This is a federal matter," Vance explained. "That officer is protected by absolute immunity. He was simply doing his job."

By NNP=Sung Ku Hong, Chief Reporter / Special Contributor NNP info@newsandpost.com