Senior Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino and several federal agents are expected to depart the Minneapolis area following mounting backlash over the federal response to the fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti, according to multiple sources familiar with the situation.
Sources told CBS News that Bovino has been relieved of his command in Minneapolis and is expected to return to California’s El Centro sector, where he previously served as chief agent. The move effectively represents a demotion after days of controversy surrounding his public statements about the shooting.
Backlash After Fatal Shooting of Alex Pretti
The development follows intense criticism of federal officials’ response to Pretti’s death. Bovino drew widespread condemnation after suggesting—without evidence—that Pretti intended to “massacre” federal agents. Witness accounts and video footage from the scene later contradicted those claims.
News of Bovino’s impending departure came shortly after President Donald Trump announced that White House border czar Tom Homan would travel to Minnesota. Trump also spoke with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, who later said the president acknowledged “the present situation cannot continue.”
A Central Figure in Trump’s Immigration Crackdown
In recent months, Bovino has emerged as one of the most visible figures in the Trump administration’s aggressive immigration enforcement strategy. Known for his hardline approach, Bovino frequently appeared in tactical gear alongside Border Patrol agents during enforcement operations in major U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, Chicago, Charlotte, and New Orleans.
Those deployments reflected a shift in federal tactics, with Border Patrol agents conducting immigration arrests far from the U.S.-Mexico border. During a Chicago operation known as “Midway Blitz,” Border Patrol agents reportedly made more arrests than Immigration and Customs Enforcement, which traditionally handles interior enforcement.
Legal Challenges and Internal Tensions
Bovino’s tenure in Chicago ended in November after a federal judge issued a preliminary injunction against Border Patrol agents over their use of force, calling the conduct “shocking to the conscience.” Agents were seen deploying tear gas in residential neighborhoods, near schools, and against civilians.
U.S. District Judge Sarah Ellis noted that Bovino had personally participated in tear gas deployments and said he admitted to lying about the circumstances surrounding one incident. At one point, Ellis ordered Bovino to report to court nightly to brief her on agents’ actions.
The aggressive tactics have also fueled tensions within the Department of Homeland Security. Some ICE officials have privately expressed concern that Border Patrol operations have become overly controversial, arguing enforcement efforts should prioritize individuals with criminal records rather than highly visible sweeps in public areas.
White House Defends Bovino
Despite the criticism, Bovino has continued to defend Border Patrol tactics, calling them necessary to protect federal agents.
“The use of force that I’ve seen has been exemplary — the least amount of force necessary to accomplish the mission,” Bovino told CBS News last fall.
The White House has also publicly backed him. Earlier this week, press secretary Karoline Leavitt described Bovino as “a great professional” and said he would continue to hold a leadership role within Customs and Border Protection.
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