Former Border Patrol chief Greg Bovino defends a controversial Minneapolis deportation operation and calls the subsequent agent withdrawal a surrender.
Greg Bovino, the former U.S. Border Patrol chief, recently defended a controversial deportation operation in Minneapolis. He described the removal of agents from the city as a surrender by the Trump administration.
Meanwhile, the families of Renee Good and Alex Pretti filed lawsuits against the administration. These individuals died during the operation in January. Bovino dismissed the legal action by claiming people file lawsuits all the time.
After that, the families alleged wrongful death and a conspiracy to interfere with civil rights. One lawsuit names Bovino and agent Jonathan Ross as responsible for the operation. The family lawyers called Bovino's recent comments propaganda.
Still, Bovino insisted that his agents were the true victims during the mission. He claimed they faced historic levels of violence. He also expressed regret for not arresting more people during the operation.
However, video evidence from the shootings sparked significant backlash across the country. Following the public outcry, the administration withdrew hundreds of immigration agents from Minnesota. Trump later shifted his rhetoric regarding the deaths.
Next, the administration removed Bovino from his leadership position shortly after the incidents. He remains unsure of the specific reasons for his removal. Tom Homan eventually took over the operation.
As a result of his retirement, Bovino continues to advocate for strict immigration enforcement. He suggests using cruise ships and military support for mass deportations. He also claims, without evidence, that 100 million people live in the country illegally.
Finally, Bovino mentioned a potential presidential run for 2028. He recently spoke at a rally in Michigan targeting a Democratic Senate candidate. The White House maintains that their current policies have reduced illegal immigration significantly.