Dramatic footage has emerged showing the chief of Customs and Border Protection deploying a gas canister during intense confrontations with anti-ICE protesters in Minneapolis. The incident, which occurred on January 21, highlights escalating tensions between federal immigration authorities and demonstrators in the Minnesota capital.
Chaotic Scene Unfolds as Warnings Issued
Gregory Bovino, serving as the Border Patrol Commander at Large, was captured on video preparing to launch the chemical agent while issuing repeated warnings to the crowd. "I'm gonna gas," Bovino declared firmly. "Get back!" He reiterated the phrase "Gas is coming" at least twice before tossing the canister, which released green-coloured fumes into the air.
The protest quickly descended into what Bovino later described as a chaotic situation. According to his account, objects were being thrown at federal agents, and law enforcement personnel found themselves "being boxed in by vehicles" during the confrontation.
Justification for Use of Force
In an interview with NewsNation, Bovino defended his actions by explaining that border patrol agents had been assaulted prior to the deployment of the gas. "If you look at that clip, what you see directly behind me are border patrol agents that had just been assaulted," he stated. The commander specifically mentioned that one agent had been spat on before the chemical agent was used.
Bovino elaborated on the sequence of events, noting that as the individual who allegedly spat on an agent was being taken into custody, "several other suspects came in and tried to intervene physically, both body checking border patrol agents, as well as physically wrestling with border patrol agents, to try to free the original suspect."
Philosophy on Less Lethal Options
The Border Patrol commander presented a rhetorical question about alternative approaches to crowd control. "If we didn't have less lethal, what would we be left with?" Bovino asked. He continued by questioning whether "fisticuffs and guns" were preferable or if authorities should "use less lethal to keep people safe [and] to keep our officers safe."
Bovino asserted that the deployment achieved its intended outcome. "It was time - it was probably past the time - for myself to deploy that less lethal ammunition," he explained. "And guess what? It worked. The crowd dispersed. No one was hurt."
Political Backlash and Uniform Controversy
The incident has drawn criticism from prominent political figures, most notably California Governor Gavin Newsom. While attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, the Democratic governor made pointed remarks about Bovino's appearance during the protest.
"It's as if [Bovino] literally went on eBay and purchased SS garb," Newsom commented, drawing comparisons between Bovino's trench coat and the uniforms worn by Adolf Hitler's Schutzstaffel. The governor further described the situation as involving "Secret police. Private army. Masked men. People disappearing, quite literally. No due process."
Commander's Response to Criticism
Bovino addressed the uniform controversy by explaining that the coat was "definitely Border Patrol issued" and that he had owned it for more than twenty-five years after purchasing it as a young agent. He noted that he had "received nothing but compliments" on the attire when he wore it to Commissioner Chris Magnus' swearing-in ceremony in Washington DC during the Biden administration.
"Fast forward a few years to this administration, all of a sudden it's a problem," Bovino observed. "Hey, what changed there?"
Broader Context of Immigration Operations
The Minneapolis protest occurred against the backdrop of increased immigration enforcement activity in Minnesota. Operation Metro Surge, an immigration enforcement initiative in the Twin Cities area, has been underway for several weeks, making the region a focal point for federal immigration operations.
Tensions were further heightened by the fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good, a thirty-seven-year-old mother of three, by ICE agent Jonathan Ross on January 7 in Minneapolis. Bovino described Good's vehicle as a "four-thousand pound missile" headed toward Ross and expressed support for the agent's actions, stating "Hats off to that ICE agent. I'm glad he made it out alive, I'm glad he's with his family."
Public Perception and Agency Standards
In response to criticism of the agency's conduct, Bovino characterized the US Border Patrol as a "high performing organization" that "should be held to a high standard." He acknowledged that the agency was "well aware" of public opinion while noting that immigration operations had also received substantial support.
According to Bovino, this support was "especially" evident from "inner city residents" in major urban centres like Chicago and Los Angeles, and extended to Minneapolis as well. He reported receiving "a lot of thumbs up, and a lot of good jobs" from supporters, though he suggested that much of this approval was offered "under their breath" because supporters were supposedly "afraid of that five or ten percent of agitators and rioters."
The Daily Mail has reached out to Customs and Border Protection for additional comment regarding the incident and the broader implications for federal law enforcement operations in urban protest situations.
