Topline
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said Monday evening that Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino “has NOT been relieved of his duties,” shortly after The Atlantic published a story saying he was being removed from his “commander at large” role following blowback over the shooting deaths of Alex Pretti and Renee Good in Minnesota.
Key Facts
Bovino “has NOT been relieved of his duties,” Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin tweeted shortly after 7 p.m. EST, saying Bovino “is a key part of the President’s team and a great American.”
The Atlantic reported shortly after 6:30 p.m. that Bovino was removed from his job as Border Patrol “commander at large” and will return to his former job in El Centro, California, a role it is believed he will soon retire from.
Bovino will “imminently” leave Minnesota with some of his agents, The Wall Street Journal reported, citing unnamed administration officials familiar with the matter.
When asked if Bovino would remain in Minnesota to oversee Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters earlier Monday that Bovino “is going to very much continue to lead Customs and Border Patrol throughout and across the country.”
Leavitt noted Border Czar Tom Homan will become the Trump administration’s main point of contact in Minneapolis moving forward, potentially sidelining Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who has spearheaded the federal response in the state.
Forbes has reached out to DHS for comment.
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Surprising Fact
DHS suspended Bovino’s access to his social media accounts, CNN reported, noting Bovino jabbed at lawmakers online in response to their posts on X about Pretti’s fatal shooting.
What To Watch For
President Donald Trump’s rhetoric Monday suggests he may be moving toward a deescalation in Minnesota. The president said on Truth Social on Monday morning that he had a “very good call” with Gov. Tim Walz, D-Minn., about unrest in Minnesota. Walz’s office said the governor made the case for independent investigations into Good and Pretti’s deaths as well as a reduction in the number of agents in Minnesota. Trump later posted to Truth Social that he also had “a very good telephone conversation” with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, adding “Lots of progress is being made!”
Key Background
Bovino was on the ground in Minnesota last week and clashed with protesters alongside other federal agents. The Border Patrol commander was also recorded throwing tear gas at demonstrators. Bovino’s accusations against Pretti were rooted in Pretti being armed at the time he was shot. However, Pretti owned the gun legally and never unholstered it in his altercation with federal agents, which began after he put himself between immigration officers and a woman they had pushed to the ground. Noem made similar allegations, as did White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller, who described Pretti as an “assassin [who] tried to murder federal agents.” Video footage has conflicted with Trump administration officials’ description of the incident, showing Pretti was recording agents with his phone and had his weapon taken from him shortly before agents wrestled him to the ground and at least 10 shots rang out. Sworn witness testimony also contradicted the Trump administration, as witnesses noted Pretti was pepper sprayed and “didn’t look like he was trying to resist, just trying to help the woman up.”
Further Reading
How Trump Officials—Noem, Miller, Patel—Portrayed Pretti As Violent Despite Conflicting Evidence (Forbes)
Trump Blames Fraud Investigation For ‘Violent…Protests’—Sends Homan Amid Minneapolis Crisis After Pretti Killing (Forbes)