...
By Kate Plummer
Senior US News Reporter
0
Share
Newsweek is a Trust Project member
See more of our trusted coverage when you search.Prefer Newsweek on Googleto see more of our trusted coverage when you search.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has said Greg Bovino has "not been relieved of his duties" after reports said he may leave Minneapolis and that he has been removed from his role as "commander at large" for U.S. Border Patrol.
On Monday, several news outlets, including CNN and the Associated Press, citing anonymous sources, reported that Bovino, chief patrol agent of the El Centro Sector in Southern California, may leave the Minnesota city in the wake of the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti.
The Atlantic, also citing anonymous sources, said he had been removed from his role as the "commander at large" for the U.S. Border Patrol.
Read More on Politics
DHS Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin responded to reports on X Monday evening, stating: "Chief Gregory Bovino has NOT been relieved of his duties. As Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated from the White House podium, Greg Bovino is a key part of the President's team and a great American."
Newsweek reached out to the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) via email for comment outside of normal business hours.
Essential reading: Is ICE Really Targeting the Worst of the Worst?
...
Why It Matters
The death of Pretti, an intensive care nurse and U.S. citizen, has sparked a public backlash and has fueled ongoing tensions over immigration enforcement in the U.S. His death was the second fatal shooting by a federal immigration officer in Minneapolis this month, following the January 7 death of Renee Nicole Good, who was shot by an ICE agent.
Reports about Bovino's future came as President Donald Trump announced a series of updates on federal immigration enforcement in Minnesota. The president announced on Monday that he was sending border czar Tom Homan to the state, who he said will report directly to him. The President also revealed in Truth Social posts that he had a "very good call" with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and another with Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey about which he said "lots of progress is being made".
What To Know
Following his phone call with Trump, Walz told MPR News on Monday afternoon that he had been in touch with the president's team "extensively" over the weekend and that, in his understanding, Bovino and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem are "no longer" going to be in the city.
"I would take that a step further, I hope they are no longer in jobs because they helped foster this," Walz added.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters at a briefing on Monday that Noem still has the "utmost confidence and trust of the president."
Meanwhile, separate unconfirmed reports in the Daily Mail, citing anonymous Homeland Security sources, said Bovino had his government social media accounts revoked on the orders of Border Patrol Commissioner Rodney Scott.
Bovino had attracted criticism over his handling of the shooting of Pretti. He told CNN that Pretti was a suspect who "injected himself into a law enforcement action" attempting to detain an "illegal alien that was nearby." He previously said it looked like a "situation where an individual wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement."
The Trump administration has portrayed the shooting as self-defense, saying Pretti confronted officers while armed. However, Pretti's family said the Trump administration had told "sickening lies" about their son, adding he had a phone in his right hand, while his empty left hand was raised above his head, trying to protect a woman who had been pushed to the ground.
What People Are Saying
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said on Monday: "Mr. Bovino is a wonderful man and he's a great professional. He is very much going to continue CBP throughout and across the country. Mr. Homan will be the main point of contact on the ground in Minneapolis."
U.S. Border Patrol commander-at-large Greg Bovino said previously: "This is only the latest attack on law enforcement. Across the country, the men and women of DHS have been attacked, shot at."
Minneapolis police chief Brian O’Hara told CNN: “He was riding around in the city with a caravan and stopping at places and kind of just shaking things up—that’s not been helpful."
What Happens Next
Homan is due to meet with Frey on Tuesday, President Trump said in a Truth Social post.
Update 1/27/26, 10:11 a.m. ET: This article was updated with additional information.
In a polarized era, the center is dismissed as bland. At Newsweek, ours is different: The Courageous Center—it's not "both sides," it's sharp, challenging and alive with ideas. We follow facts, not factions. If that sounds like the kind of journalism you want to see thrive, we need you.
When you become a Newsweek Member, you support a mission to keep the center strong and vibrant. Members enjoy: Ad-free browsing, exclusive content and editor conversations. Help keep the center courageous. Join today.
View 0 Comments
Submit Correction
View Editorial & AI Guidelines