Ousted Border Official Greg Bovino Steals Spotlight at CPAC, Upstaging Trump's Czar
Less than twenty-four hours after announcing his retirement, former Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino made a dramatic entrance at the Conservative Political Action Conference in Grapevine, Texas, on Thursday. The veteran official, who had been quietly sidelined following political backlash over his aggressive tactics in Minneapolis, was greeted with a rock star reception that visibly upstaged Trump's appointed border czar, Tom Homan.
A Surprise Appearance Ignites Conservative Fervor
Independent journalist Nick Sotor escorted Bovino into the conference venue, where political media host Benny Johnson later brought him onto the CPAC stage for an unannounced appearance. Wearing a tight black Border Patrol t-shirt, a grinning Bovino soaked up thunderous applause from the enthusiastic crowd.
'The fake news hate him, libs hate him, this is Darth Vader for those people,' Johnson shouted to the audience. 'He's the biggest bad guy but he's a hero to us and the America first movement.'
Background of Controversy and Political Backlash
Under former Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, Bovino had been empowered as commander-at-large for Customs and Border Protection in Minneapolis. There, he orchestrated very public displays of force against illegal immigrants and leftist protesters, tactics that made him both celebrated on the right and vilified on the left.
The political climate shifted dramatically following the deaths of protesters Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good at the hands of federal agents. This backlash resulted in Bovino being quietly pushed aside in favor of White House border czar Tom Homan. The thirty-year CBP veteran responded by announcing his retirement, a move that set the stage for his CPAC comeback.
Clash with Trump's Border Czar
Homan and his team were reportedly furious about Bovino's surprise appearance at the conference, according to sources familiar with their reaction. Just days earlier, Bovino had criticized Homan in the New York Times, referencing accusations that Homan accepted a $50,000 cash bribe delivered in a paper bag.
When Homan took the CPAC stage about an hour later, he pointedly reminded the audience that it was President Trump who had pulled Bovino from Minneapolis due to the political fallout. 'Greg Bovino did a great job, they all did a great job up there, but he wanted a fresh face,' Homan said, referring to the former president's decision.
Bovino's Unfiltered Message on Immigration
After leaving the stage, Bovino was mobbed by attendees begging for selfies and thanking him for his efforts to deport illegal immigrants. When asked about his future plans by the Daily Mail, the newly retired commander said he was uncertain but committed to patriotic action.
'We'll see what the future holds,' Bovino said. 'Day one in retirement here, we'll see. My main goal is to be a patriot like the fellow patriots are here and uphold this nation's values and get the word out.'
He emphasized the critical need for 'mass deportations' and spoke about his goal to remove 100 million illegal immigrants from the country. 'We got a big problem in the country with illegal aliens, I can say that really freely now,' he said, deliberately using the phrase 'illegal aliens' rather than the left's preferred 'undocumented immigrants.' 'They all need to go and they need to go now.'
Diverging Paths and Conservative Endorsement
While Homan left the conference immediately after his appearance, Bovino remained throughout the day, greeting fans, taking selfies, and making media appearances. He joined host Jack Posobiec on the Real America's Voice network and was later spotted at CPAC's exclusive VIP cigar and bourbon reception that evening.
Trump's former White House chief strategist Steve Bannon told the Daily Mail that he believed Bovino represented a new conservative star who could effectively emphasize the importance of mass deportations. 'I love him. He's the man,' Bannon said. 'When Caesar went to pacify Gaul, he brought the Bovinos with him, right? Those are the guys that you need to bring order and discipline into chaotic situations. To me, he's a hero. I love that guy.'
Homan's Focus on New Leadership
During his CPAC appearance, Homan notably avoided mentioning his former boss Kristi Noem, instead praising newly sworn-in Secretary of Homeland Security Markwayne Mullin. 'Right guy, right time, right job,' Homan said. 'What I like about him is that he recognizes from the beginning, that he has career folks ... you got all these career professionals, let them run their agencies because they got the knowledge to do it.'
The contrasting receptions for Bovino and Homan at CPAC highlighted ongoing tensions within conservative immigration policy circles, with Bovino's uncompromising stance resonating powerfully with the conference's grassroots attendees.
