Border Patrol Commander Faces Allegations of Anti-Semitic Remarks During Immigration Enforcement Call
Senior Border Patrol official Gregory Bovino has been accused of making disparaging comments about the Jewish faith of a United States attorney during discussions about the Trump administration's immigration enforcement operations. According to insiders speaking to The New York Times, the alleged incident occurred during a January 12 phone call with Minnesota's US Attorney Daniel N. Rosen.
Alleged Religious Mockery During Tense Immigration Discussions
Sources indicate that Bovino, who held the position of Commander-at-Large within the agency, used the term 'chosen people' in what was described as a snide manner directed at Rosen. The Minnesota attorney, who was nominated for his position by President Donald Trump, is an Orthodox Jew who observes Shabbat traditions.
During the contentious call, Bovino reportedly complained about being unable to reach Rosen during parts of the weekend due to Shabbat observance. He then allegedly asked sarcastically whether the prosecutor understood that Orthodox Jewish criminals did not take weekends off from their activities.
The conversation occurred as Bovino pressed Rosen's office to pursue tougher charges against demonstrators whom he believed were obstructing immigration operations in Minnesota. Although Rosen delegated the discussion to a deputy, multiple prosecutors from his office were reportedly listening to the exchange.
Background of Religious Motivation and Political Context
Daniel N. Rosen has previously stated that combating the 'rapid escalation of violent antisemitism in America' served as one of his primary motivations for pursuing public office. In an interview with Jewish Insider, Rosen expressed concern about how polarization in society often evolves into factional hatreds that ultimately target Jewish communities.
'Jewish history tells us that Jews fare poorly in societies that turn polarized, and where that polarization evolves into factional hatreds in the non-Jewish societies within which we live,' Rosen explained. He further noted that such divisions 'virtually always evolve into violent expressions of hate against the Jews.'
The attorney also shared that his journey toward Orthodox Judaism represented a gradual transition through his early adulthood, and that he maintains a daily practice of studying the Talmud.
Fallout and Resignations Following Controversial Remarks
The alleged anti-Semitic comments came amidst growing tension surrounding immigration enforcement in Minnesota. Just one day after the contentious phone call, six federal prosecutors from the Minnesota US attorney's office resigned their positions in protest over how the Department of Justice handled the death of Renee Good.
Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was shot and killed by ICE agent Jonathan Ross on January 7 in Minneapolis after allegedly refusing officers' demands to open her car door during a demonstration. Bovino had publicly defended the agent's actions, describing Good's vehicle as a 'four-thousand pound missile' and stating 'Hats off to that ICE agent.'
Broader Controversy Surrounding Border Patrol Leadership
Gregory Bovino had become one of the most visible figures implementing the Trump administration's immigration crackdown in Minnesota and other regions. His comments following the deaths of both Renee Good and another individual, 37-year-old Alex Pretti, drew significant criticism from advocacy groups and political figures.
Following Pretti's death, Bovino suggested that law enforcement officers were the true victims of the incident and claimed that Pretti had planned to 'massacre' federal agents. These remarks prompted California Governor Gavin Newsom to compare Bovino's rhetoric to that of Adolf Hitler's Schutzstaffel, commenting that it was 'as if he literally went on eBay and purchased SS garb.'
Administrative Changes and Official Responses
President Trump removed Bovino from his Minneapolis position earlier this week, replacing him with border czar Tom Homan. Homan acknowledged that 'certain improvements could and should be made' regarding immigration enforcement approaches.
Initial reports suggesting Bovino had been fired were contradicted by Department of Homeland Security assistant press secretary Tricia McLaughlin, who described him as a 'key part of the President's team and a great American.' When approached by The New York Times about the anti-Semitism allegations, McLaughlin reportedly redirected attention toward victims of crimes involving undocumented immigrants rather than addressing the specific claims.
The Daily Mail has contacted multiple agencies and officials for comment on the allegations, including the Department of Homeland Security, US Customs and Border Protection, the Department of Justice, and Daniel N. Rosen's office. As of reporting, no direct responses to the anti-Semitism allegations have been provided by the involved parties.
