Border Patrol Chief Removed from Minneapolis Amid Alex Pretti Shooting Fallout
Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino has reportedly been sent home from Minneapolis and had his social media access revoked by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) following intense backlash over the fatal shooting of 37-year-old nurse Alex Pretti. According to multiple reports, Bovino and other federal agents will depart the city as early as Tuesday, marking a significant development in the ongoing controversy.
Social Media Spat Escalates Tensions
The controversial border agent had been using his @CMDROpAtLargeCA account to engage in online clashes with both Republican and Democratic lawmakers who criticised his stance on Pretti's killing. During one exchange, he accused Texas Representative James Talarico of "spreading lies and fueling violence" for pointing out that Pretti's shooting occurred weeks after the killing of Renee Good during Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations.
Bovino also attacked GOP Congressman Thomas Massie, who suggested that carrying a firearm does not entitle law enforcement to take lethal action. "Attacking law enforcement is not a right like you want it to be," Bovino responded aggressively. The DHS has now reportedly locked him out of his accounts, with a source confirming to CNN that his access has been officially revoked.
Trump's Border Czar Steps In
As Bovino departs, Donald Trump has dispatched his border czar, Tom Homan, to Minneapolis to manage the escalating situation. Homan, who gained national attention during the Obama administration while working for ICE, has become known for his hardline immigration views that align closely with Trump's deportation plans. "I will run the biggest deportation operation this country's ever seen," Homan declared in 2024, signalling his approach to the current crisis.
Homan's appointment comes amid conflicting reports about Bovino's status. While The Atlantic reported that Bovino would return to his previous role in California and might "retire soon," DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin strongly denied these claims on social media, insisting Bovino remains "a key part of the President's team."
Political Fallout Intensifies
The White House has attempted to distance President Trump from the controversy while blaming Minnesota Democrats for the violence. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt claimed the shooting "occurred as a result of a deliberate and hostile resistance by Democrat leaders in Minnesota," even as Trump reportedly expressed concern about how the situation has been handled.
Meanwhile, Senator Ted Cruz has advised the administration to cool its rhetoric, warning that escalating language "doesn't help" and actually loses credibility. On the Democratic side, Senator John Fetterman has refused to support a government shutdown over ICE funding despite pressure from party leadership, highlighting the complex political dimensions of this tragedy.
AI Images and Ongoing Investigations
Adding to the controversy, AI-enhanced images of Pretti's shooting have gone viral on social media as users attempt to determine whether he was holding a weapon as DHS Secretary Kristi Noem claimed. However, experts warn that such AI tools do not provide reliable evidence and merely approximate what enhanced images might look like, creating potential for misinformation.
The situation continues to develop as Minneapolis remains at the centre of national attention over immigration enforcement tactics and their tragic consequences.
