Old Dominion University President Stokes Flames of Violence Against Law Enforcement
by Victoria Manning
President Brian Hemphill eulogizes woman accused of domestic terrorism against ICE officers.
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem says an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officer’s life was threatened in Minneapolis when Renee Good, 37, attempted to run over him with her car. Yet, Old Dominion University (ODU) President Brian Hemphill is painting Good as the victim, fanning the flames of violence against law enforcement.
Good, a 2020 graduate of ODU, was shot and killed on Jan. 7th by an ICE agent acting in self-defense. Good used her vehicle to block traffic and then rapidly accelerated her vehicle at the agent.
Noem has asked the Department of Justice to prosecute Good's actions as an act of domestic terrorism. "Because it's clear that it's being coordinated, that people are being trained and told how to use their vehicles to impede law enforcement operations, and then to run over anybody who gets in their way while they go out there and try to disrupt peace and public safety," she said at a press conference.
Hemphill, on the other hand, attributed the blame to law enforcement.
"This is yet another clear example that fear and violence have sadly become commonplace in our nation," he wrote in a statement. "Indeed, this tragedy reflects the deep strain being felt in countless communities across our nation. As citizens, it is our duty and right to call upon leaders and officials to restore civility in all facets of our lives, especially at the hands of those who are entrusted to protect and serve."
Rhetoric has consequences. Reckless statements by leaders across the country have put law enforcement officers in harm’s way. Figures like Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, and now Hemphill only worsen the danger by stoking resentment toward those sworn to protect the public.
Contrary to legacy news media’s reports depicting Good as a martyr, Noem said Good was part of a group of protesters who were “stalking and impeding” ICE agents throughout that day. Videos taken just before the shooting support that claim, showing Good and her wife closely following and filming the agents. Of course, Hemphill failed to mention any of this in his statement.
Restoration News reached out to ODU to find out why Hemphill is defending an accused domestic terrorist. We also questioned whether he had considered that his statement could endanger other law enforcement officers. We didn’t receive a response by the time of publication.
As an ODU graduate, I urge the Board of Visitors to condemn Hemphill’s statements. My alma mater should not—and must not—be perceived as an anti-law enforcement institution.
Victoria Manning is a Senior Investigative Researcher for Restoration News specializing in education freedom, immigration, and military issues. She is the author of Behind the Wall of Government Schools. Victoria served 8 years as an elected school board member and has a master’s degree in law. She also brings the perspective of a military spouse and mother to her reporting.
Republished with permission from Restoration News.
