Gregory Bovino, the Border Patrol commander who became one of the most visible faces of Donald Trump's immigration crackdown, has been removed from his role and sent back to California. This significant development follows a weekend of intense controversy surrounding the shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, in Minneapolis.
Reassignment and Retirement Plans
According to reports from the Atlantic, Bovino will return to his former position in El Centro, California, where he is expected to retire soon. The information comes from a Homeland Security official and two individuals with knowledge of the personnel change. While Tricia McLaughlin, assistant press secretary for the Department of Homeland Security, stated that Bovino had not been fired and remained a "key part of the president's team," his removal from Minneapolis represents a substantial demotion.
Social Media Access Revoked
CNN reported earlier that Bovino has lost access to his government social media accounts after spending much of the weekend engaging in online disputes regarding the Pretti shooting. This action typically precedes formal disciplinary measures within federal agencies and indicates serious concern about his public communications.
Administration Shakeup
The move forms part of a major shakeup within the Trump administration at the request of Border Czar Tom Homan. Both Bovino - who has been nicknamed 'little Napoleon' - and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem have been sidelined as Homan prepares to take control of operations in Minneapolis. Mayor Jacob Frey has confirmed that President Trump arranged a meeting between himself and Homan upon the Border Czar's arrival in the city.
De-escalation Strategy
The decision to remove Bovino appears aimed at de-escalating tensions between federal agents and protesters that erupted following Pretti's killing on Saturday. Bovino sparked particular fury within the White House when he claimed that Pretti intended to "massacre" federal agents, while Noem described the nurse as a "domestic terrorist" who brandished a firearm - language that White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt later distanced from presidential policy.
Internal Power Struggles
Bovino's removal highlights Noem's diminishing standing with the White House as Trump dispatches Homan and his closest allies to assume control of ground operations. A loyalist to Noem and her rumored associate Corey Lewandowski, Bovino had been quietly promoted as a potential replacement for current Border Patrol chief Rodney Scott, a longtime Homan ally. Noem had sought to bypass standard chain of command by having Bovino report directly to her, an unprecedented arrangement within the agency.
Controversial Enforcement Methods
Selected last year from his role as chief patrol agent of the El Centro sector in Southern California, Bovino led highly publicized immigration crackdowns across the country. His aggressive tactics, often involving choreographed public displays, generated backlash from local officials. He frequently stood out as the only agent not wearing face coverings during operations at locations like Home Depot stores and gas stations.
Public Image and Criticism
Bovino developed a distinctive public persona, frequently appearing on frontlines with a severe buzzcut and trench coat that German media compared to a "Nazi aesthetic." California Governor Gavin Newsom commented on social media: "Greg Bovino dressed up as if he literally went on eBay and purchased SS garb." Bovino responded that he had owned the coat for over 25 years and that it represented official Border Patrol merchandise.
Jenn Budd, an author and Border Patrol expert, described Bovino as "the Liberace" of the agency, adding: "He was just a little Napoleon who wants you to think that he is the most moral and capable guy in the world, and everything around you is dangerous but he's the one who's going to save you. It's all a show for him."
Questionable Testimony
Beyond his controversial public statements, Bovino faced judicial scrutiny regarding his credibility. In November, federal judge Sara Ellis accused him of being "evasive" and at times "outright lying" in sworn testimony about an immigration crackdown in Chicago, finding his account "simply not credible." The judge noted that Bovino admitted to lying about being hit with a rock before ordering tear gas deployment, while video evidence contradicted his claim that he never tackled a protester.
Despite these controversies, Bovino's enforcement strategies initially earned him Trump's respect, with McLaughlin telling reporters he was chosen to lead because "he's a badass." His dramatic tactics included inviting journalists to watch him swim across a canal in Southern California's Imperial Valley to deter migrant crossings, and deploying dozens of agents to arrest migrants at highway gas stations ahead of Trump's inauguration.
The removal of this controversial figure from Minneapolis represents a significant recalibration of the Trump administration's approach to border enforcement amid escalating tensions and public scrutiny.
