US4 min(s) read
Top Border Patrol chief to be removed from role following Minneapolis ICE shootings
Gregory Bovino, the Border Patrol commander who has become a central figure in Minneapolis due to the Trump administration's tough immigration policies, is set to leave the city.
His exit follows growing concerns after a second fatal shooting by federal agents. Bovino, known for his aggressive approach to immigration enforcement, had faced sharp criticism from both Democrats and civil rights activists for his role in the ongoing crackdown.
Per BBC News, a senior Trump administration official confirmed that Bovino, along with several agents under his command, would be reassigned from Minnesota, signaling a shift in the White House's approach to federal immigration operations.
Bovino's departure is linked to the shooting death of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse. Pretti's death, which occurred during a federal operation, has led to heightened tensions in the city.
As protests erupted, White House officials began reassessing their strategies in response to the backlash. While the administration initially defended the actions of federal agents, President Donald Trump held talks with local leaders, including Governor Tim Walz and Mayor Jacob Frey, suggesting that a reduction in federal presence might be on the horizon.
A shift in leadership and strategy
Bovino’s reassignment is part of a broader change in strategy under the Trump administration. On Monday, Trump announced that Tom Homan, the president's "border tsar," would be sent to Minnesota to take direct control of operations there. This move comes as the White House seeks to de-escalate tensions following the fatal shootings.
The White House has since adjusted its tone, with press secretary Karoline Leavitt calling Pretti’s death a "tragedy" and clarifying previous comments made by senior advisor Stephen Miller that had been widely criticized.
Bovino, who had long been a vocal proponent of the administration's tough stance on immigration, had previously been given the title of "commander at large" for Border Patrol. However, reports suggest that he has been stripped of this title and will return to his previous role as chief patrol agent in California’s El Centro sector.
This shift in leadership comes after widespread protests against federal actions in Minneapolis, including one outside a hotel where Bovino was believed to be staying. Despite the official response from the Department of Homeland Security denying Bovino’s dismissal, the protests have highlighted the deep divisions surrounding the current administration's immigration policies.
Federal presence in Minneapolis under review
The White House's review of its federal operations in Minneapolis also coincides with a growing call from local leaders for a decrease in federal agents in the area. Mayor Frey has been vocal in his criticism of the administration’s tactics and emphasized that the current level of federal involvement in local immigration enforcement cannot continue.
During a call with President Trump, Frey expressed concerns about the escalation of violence and the impact on the local community. Following the conversation, Trump acknowledged that some federal agents would begin leaving the area as a sign of potential de-escalation.
Governor Walz also signaled that the state would push for a more coordinated approach to address violent crime and immigration enforcement.
While the administration's official stance on the shooting of Alex Pretti remains under review, Bovino’s exit marks a notable shift in the federal government's approach to immigration enforcement in Minneapolis.
The move comes at a time when tensions are high, with protests and widespread criticism of the administration's actions in the city. The future of federal operations in the area will likely continue to be a subject of debate as local officials and residents seek a resolution to the ongoing issues surrounding immigration policy enforcement.