Evan Glass's Tribute to Renee Good Sparks Massive Backlash on Social Media
Montgomery County, MD – Montgomery County Councilmember Evan Glass posted a tribute on social media five days ago mourning the death of Renee Good, a 37-year-old Minnesota woman killed in a confrontation with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents. The post, which portrayed Good's death as a "brutal reminder" of prioritizing "authoritarian enforcement" over human life, has ignited fierce online controversy, drawing over 54,600 comments and 409 shares as of this writing—nearly all derisive.
Glass's original post, shared on Facebook on January 12, read: "Her name was Renee Good. She should be alive. Instead, her death is a brutal reminder of what happens when ICE and authoritarian enforcement are put above human life. We refuse to normalize this. We will keep standing up — for Renee, and for our community." Accompanying the text was an image of Glass and another individual holding a sign featuring Good's portrait with the slogan "Make Good Trouble," echoing the late civil rights icon John Lewis's famous phrase.
Screenshot of Councilmember Evan Glass’s Facebook Post, captured January 17, 2026.
The post referenced the January 7, 2026, incident in St. Paul, Minnesota, where Good was fatally shot by an ICE agent during an operation targeting undocumented immigrants. Her partner, who was filming the encounter, reportedly shouted "Drive baby drive" moments before the shooting. Good was a mother of three and had a history of activism, including involvement with "ICE Watch," a coalition aimed at disrupting ICE operations.
While Glass's message aimed to highlight what he described as excessive force by ICE, the response from commenters has been overwhelmingly negative, with many accusing him of glorifying someone they view as responsible for her own fate. An analysis by Montgomery Fix of a representative sample of approximately 482 comments reveals a stark contrast between public sentiment and Glass’s tribute.
Comment Breakdown
Supportive of Glass's View: < 1%. No analyzed responses fully endorsed Glass's framing of the incident as an unjust tragedy caused solely by ICE actions, without attributing any fault to Good.
Not Supportive: ~97%. The vast majority criticized Good's actions, defended the ICE agent, or mocked the post itself.
Mixed or Neutral: ~2%. These acknowledged the death as tragic but emphasized Good's personal responsibility, often starting with phrases like "tragic but avoidable."
Common Themes in the Comments
The comments reflect a highly caustic and often sarcastic tone, with users drawing from the incident's details to counter Glass's narrative. Key recurring opinions include:
Personal Responsibility and "FAFO" Mentality: Around 31% of comments blamed Good for her death, citing her alleged refusal to comply with orders and use of her vehicle as a weapon. Phrases like "actions have consequences," "play stupid games, win stupid prizes," and "FAFO" (short for "fuck around and find out") dominated, portraying the shooting as a direct result of her choices rather than systemic overreach.
Mockery of "Drive Baby Drive": Nearly 20% of comments referenced the phrase shouted by Good's partner, turning it into memes, song parodies, or suggestions for ironic merchandise like T-shirts or signs. This highlighted perceptions of recklessness and was used to ridicule the idea of Good as a martyr.
Defense of ICE and Law Enforcement: About 16% of comments expressed support for the agent and ICE, with calls to "buy the agent a beer" or praise for a "good shot." Many stressed the importance of obeying commands, framing the incident as justified self-defense.
Ridicule of the Post and Glass: About 15% of comments mocked the sign's design (e.g., suggesting adding bullet holes or using it for target practice), Good's outdated photo (noting her recent shaved head appearance), or Glass personally (e.g., his height or former CNN journalist background). Some pointed out hidden reaction counts, implying laughter emojis outnumbered supportive ones.
Allegations of Good's Background: Roughly 13% of comments delved into Good's personal history, including child custody losses and her partner's conviction for child abuse (allegedly for burning children with cigarettes). Sarcastic remarks like "children are not ashtrays" undermined portrayals of Good as a heroic figure or poet.
Accusations of Selective Outrage: Around 10% of comments compared Good's case to other deaths, such as those of Laken Riley (allegedly killed by an undocumented immigrant) or Charlie Kirk (a conservative activist recently murdered). Users accused Glass and liberals of hypocrisy, asking why similar tributes weren't made for "real victims."
Calls for Compliance and Lessons Learned: Approximately 8% of comments emphasized broader lessons, such as "comply and survive" or "stay home with your kids," positioning the event as a cautionary tale about interfering with federal operations.
It is unknown how many of the 56,400 comments are from people who reside outside of Montgomery County. Given the 409 shares, it is certain the post circulated widely outside of county netizens and within conservative circles where Glass’s posts aren’t common. Nonetheless, the backlash reveals conservative sentiments not often heard in mainstream Montgomery County circles, where progressive voices speak the loudest. In that regard, the lack of supportive commentary to Glass’s post is remarkable. The contrast reveals deeper divisions in Montgomery County regarding immigration enforcement than expected. With Montgomery County actively considering the Trust Act (Bill 35-25), a significant anti-ICE measure aimed at protecting immigrants by limiting county cooperation with federal immigration enforcement, restricting ICE access to county resources and facilities without warrants, and ensuring all residents can access services regardless of immigration status, it may be worth pausing to assess how the broader community actually views ICE.
