One of President Donald Trump’s top immigration enforcement officials in Minneapolis is stepping back from his role in the city following weeks of controversy and unrest tied to federal immigration operations.
On Tuesday, Jan. 27, multiple outlets reported that Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino — along with several senior Immigration and Customs Enforcement officials — is expected to depart Minneapolis in the coming days.
Bovino, 55, has been a prominent public face of the federal operation in recent weeks, during which two people — 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti and 37-year-old mother of three Renee Good — were shot and killed by federal agents. The deaths were followed by tense, sometimes combative protests.
In public remarks after the incidents, Bovino strongly defended his officers’ actions and echoed Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s claims that Pretti — described as a lawful gun owner — attempted to attack Border Patrol agents.
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“This looks like a situation where an individual wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement,” Bovino said at the time, even as multiple videos circulated online that appeared to show Pretti holding a cell phone rather than a gun, and suggested agents had disarmed him before the fatal shots were fired.
During his time in Minneapolis, Bovino also drew criticism for marching through city streets alongside ICE officers while unmasked and, at times, wearing an army-green greatcoat that some observers compared to World War II-era uniforms. Bovino rejected that framing at a Jan. 26 press conference, warning: “Calling law enforcement names like Gestapo, or using the term ‘kidnapping,’ that is a choice that is made. There are actions and consequences that come from those choices.”
The Atlantic reported that Bovino will return to his post in El Centro, Calif., where he serves as Commander Op At Large of that sector.
Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin pushed back on suggestions that Bovino was removed from his position, writing in an X post: “Chief Gregory Bovino has NOT been relieved of his duties. As @PressSec stated from the White House podium, @CMDROpAtLargeCA is a key part of the President’s team and a great American.”
After Bovino’s departure, Trump’s “border czar,” Tom Homan, is expected to become the president’s lead point person on the ground in Minneapolis and report directly to Trump rather than to Noem. Trump announced that shift in a Jan. 26 Truth Social post.
“I am sending Tom Homan to Minnesota tonight,” Trump wrote. “He has not been involved in that area, but knows and likes many of the people there. Tom is tough but fair, and will report directly to me.”
Trump said the administration would continue focusing on what he described as “20 Billion Dollar, Plus, Welfare Fraud” in Minnesota and referenced Rep. Ilhan Omar, adding, “Time will tell all.”
After announcing Homan’s trip, Trump also appeared to soften his tone toward Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, writing on Truth Social that he had “successful” calls with both Democratic leaders.
“Lots of progress is being made!” Trump posted after speaking with Frey, adding that Homan would meet with him the following day to continue discussions.
Still, Trump has continued to defend maintaining a federal presence in Minneapolis, and he publicly backed ICE when asked on Jan. 20 about Good’s death — which occurred roughly two weeks before Pretti was also killed.
“They’re gonna make mistakes sometimes,” Trump said. “ICE is gonna be too rough with somebody or- you know, they’re dealing with rough people. They’re gonna make a mistake sometimes. It can happen.”
