The Trump administration has removed Gregory Bovino from his role as Border Patrol “commander at large” after another deadly police action in Minneapolis.
According to officials, Bovino will return to his old post in El Centro, California, where he is expected to retire soon.
The change comes after Border Patrol agents shot and killed 37‑year‑old nurse Alex Pretti during an immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis. Pretti, who cared for veterans as an ICU nurse, became another face of rising anger over federal tactics.
President Donald Trump signaled a shift in the administration’s strategy on social media. He said he spoke with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and that the two are now “on the same page.” Trump wrote on Truth Social: “Lots of progress is being made! Tom Homan will be meeting with him tomorrow in order to continue the discussion.”
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Trump also named Tom Homan, the former ICE chief now known as “border czar,” to take charge of the federal operation in Minneapolis. The president described Homan as “tough but fair” and said he will report directly to him.
For months, Bovino had been the public face of a brash immigration enforcement campaign. He traveled to cities including Chicago, Charlotte, New Orleans, and Minneapolis. At each stop, he led raids and appeared in public with his own film crew.
In Minneapolis, Bovino repeatedly defended his agents and pushed back at critics in public statements. He told CNN that agents were the real victims and that Pretti had “put himself in that situation,” even though video showed Pretti did not attack officers. His strong public stance and combative remarks made some career ICE and Border Patrol officials uneasy.
But video footage from the encounter told a different story. The clips showed Pretti, who was licensed to carry a weapon, never drawing a firearm or attacking officers. In one moment before the fatal shot, an agent is seen taking the gun from Pretti’s hand.
Pretti’s family rejected the claims made by federal officials. They described him as a kind, caring nurse devoted to helping veterans.
The deadly incident followed another fatal shooting in Minneapolis earlier this month, when 37‑year‑old Renee Good was shot by an ICE agent during a separate operation.
The two deaths led to harsh responses from local leaders. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey said residents deserve safety and respect. He wrote, “The people of this city deserve protection, not fear. These actions have made our communities unsafe.”
Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, one of Bovino’s strongest supporters at DHS, praised Homan’s arrival. “I have worked closely with Tom over the last year and he has been a major asset to our team,” she said. “His experience will help us manage operations and remove public safety threats.”
Noem’s close adviser Corey Lewandowski had also backed Bovino. But insiders say their influence may now be shaken by the controversy.
Featured image via YouTube screengrab
