TL;DR
GoFundMe is hosting a fundraiser tied to the potential legal defense of an ICE agent implicated in the fatal shooting of Renee Good, even though its rules bar campaigns connected to violent crimes. The decision to keep the campaign online has prompted questions about selective enforcement given the platform’s previous removals of similar pages.
What happened
WIRED reporting found that a GoFundMe campaign related to the potential legal defense of an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent who fatally shot Renee Good is still active on the platform. The company’s published terms of service prohibit fundraisers that are connected to violent crimes, and observers note that GoFundMe has removed comparable campaigns in the past. Separate reporting cited in the coverage says the federal agent implicated in the incident has been identified in court testimony as Jonathan Ross and described in that testimony as having served as a firearms trainer. The continued presence of the fundraising page has prompted scrutiny over whether the platform is applying its rules evenly, and raised questions about how GoFundMe evaluates and enforces content tied to alleged criminal acts and legal-defense efforts.
Why it matters
- It highlights potential inconsistency in how large crowdfunding platforms enforce their published rules.
- Allowing legal-defense fundraisers tied to violent incidents can shape public access to financial support and influence legal proceedings.
- Selective enforcement risks eroding trust among users, donors, and victims’ families who expect uniform application of terms.
- The case may influence future policy choices by platforms about how to handle campaigns connected to alleged crimes or official misconduct.
Key facts
- WIRED published the report on January 12, 2026; the piece was written by Dell Cameron.
- The fundraiser in question is tied to an ICE agent who fatally shot Renee Good.
- GoFundMe’s terms of service include a prohibition on fundraisers connected to violent crimes.
- The campaign remained online despite those terms and past removals of similar pages.
- Separate WIRED reporting and court testimony identified the implicated agent as Jonathan Ross and described him as a firearms trainer.
- Reporting raises concerns of selective enforcement but does not include a response from GoFundMe in the provided excerpt.
- The coverage frames the issue as part of a broader debate over platform moderation and accountability.
What to watch next
- Whether GoFundMe removes or reclassifies the campaign — not confirmed in the source.
- Any public statement or policy clarification from GoFundMe addressing this specific fundraiser — not confirmed in the source.
- Official statements or actions from ICE, the Department of Justice, or local authorities regarding the shooting or related legal proceedings — not confirmed in the source.
Quick glossary
- GoFundMe: A popular online crowdfunding platform that allows individuals to raise money for personal causes, legal costs, medical expenses, and other needs.
- Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE): A U.S. federal agency responsible for enforcing immigration laws and investigating cross-border criminal activity.
- Terms of service: The rules and guidelines set by a platform that govern acceptable use and what content or behavior is allowed.
- Legal-defense fund: A fundraiser intended to cover legal costs such as attorney fees, court expenses, and related legal support.
Reader FAQ
Did GoFundMe remove the fundraiser tied to the ICE agent?
No — the reporting indicates the campaign remained online; whether it is later removed is not confirmed in the source.
Who is the ICE agent named in reporting?
Separate WIRED reporting and court testimony identify the agent as Jonathan Ross.
Do GoFundMe’s rules allow fundraisers tied to violent crimes?
GoFundMe’s terms of service prohibit fundraisers connected to violent crimes, according to the reporting.
Has GoFundMe commented on this specific case?
Not confirmed in the source.
DELL CAMERON SECURITY JAN 12, 2026 1:48 PM GoFundMe Ignores Own Rules by Hosting a Legal-Defense Fund for the ICE Agent Who Killed Renee Good The fundraiser for the ICE…
Sources
- GoFundMe Ignores Own Rules by Hosting a Legal-Defense Fund for the ICE Agent Who Killed Renee Good
- GoFundMe campaign for Renee Nicole Good raises $1.5m …
- Billionaire donates $10K to ICE agent in deadly …
- More than $1.5 million raised for Renee Good's widow & …
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