The controversial “commander at large” of US President Donald Trump's federal immigration enforcement push in Minnesota has been removed from his post following two deadly shootings, several media outlets have reported.
The reported departure of US Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino comes in the wake of the killing of activists Renee Good on January 7 and Alex Pretti on Saturday by federal agents. The incidents sparked a public outcry and nationwide protests.
On Monday, Trump announced that White House border czar Tom Homan will be dispatched to Minneapolis to oversee immigration enforcement operations.
A source told Reuters on Tuesday that Bovino would be returning to his former job as the head of California’s El Centro sector of the US-Mexico border.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said in a post on X that “some federal agents” will start leaving the city, but did not mention Bovino directly. “I will continue pushing for the rest involved in this operation to go,” Frey added.
CNN claimed that Trump was “unhappy” with how Bovino and US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem handled the fallout of Pretti’s killing. Noem was reportedly criticized for making premature statements while defending the agents involved.
Bonino has insisted that the slain US citizen was armed and wanted to “massacre law enforcement.” The video footage circulating online appears to show Pretti holding a phone immediately before he was tackled and shot. He apparently had a weapon on his person, but agents had taken it away from him.
CNN reported that the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has locked the 55-year-old commander out of his social media accounts effective immediately after he sparred with lawmakers online over the shootings.
Bovino critics online have also claimed that the commander had “Nazi looks” due to his closely cropped haircut and military-style greatcoat that went viral.
Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said on X that despite the transfer, Bovino remains “a key part of the President’s team and a great American.”
The police said that 26 people were arrested overnight as they protested outside a hotel where Bovino was believed to have been staying.