Additional Coverage:
- ‘Nazi-coded’ Greg Bovino’s Hitlerian brand of control intensified backlash before removal (themirror.com)
Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino Removed Amid Controversy and Fatal Shootings in Minneapolis
Minneapolis, MN – U.S. Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino has been removed from his post following a wave of controversy, including public ridicule for his “Nazi-coded” attire and two fatal shootings involving immigration enforcement officers in Minneapolis. The move comes as the Trump administration’s intensified immigration crackdown in the city faces increasing scrutiny and calls for investigation.
Bovino, who had become a prominent figure in the Minneapolis operations, drew significant criticism for his choice of outerwear. He was frequently seen wearing an olive wool, double-breasted overcoat complete with epaulettes, brass buttons, and pointed applied cuffs. While some critics labeled it “Nazi cosplay” and California Governor Gavin Newsom’s press account on X called it “Nazi-coded,” others argued the coat resembled a 19th-century military greatcoat worn by soldiers across various nations.
However, beyond sartorial debates, many observers believe Bovino’s attire symbolized the escalating militarization of immigration enforcement. This perceived shift, from civil servants enforcing administrative law to “frontline combatants operating in hostile terrain,” is seen by some as a contributing factor to the increasingly aggressive tactics deployed by Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers in Minneapolis.
The heightened tensions tragically culminated in two fatal incidents. First, Renee Good, a 37-year-old mother of three, was fatally shot by an ICE officer.
Her death sparked nationwide protests and intensified local outrage. Just days later, ICU nurse Alex Pretti, who had become involved in protests and was reportedly filming Border Patrol agents, was fatally shot by an agent.
Pretti’s death ignited further public outcry and prompted the removal of Bovino and several immigration agents. Tom Homan, President Donald Trump’s border czar, is now expected to take over on-the-ground efforts in Minneapolis.
The administration’s decision to replace Bovino and send other agents packing, coupled with Trump’s “very good” phone calls with Democratic city and state officials, suggests a possible shift in tone and a potential reevaluation of the aggressive federal actions in the immigration crackdown. The President has also avoided language used by some of his top officials who attempted to blame Pretti for the shooting.
Even prominent Republicans have joined Democrats in demanding a comprehensive investigation into Pretti’s shooting. Republican gubernatorial candidate Chris Madel withdrew from the race, denouncing the Minnesota enforcement operation as an “unmitigated disaster.”
Bovino had been the public face of the operation during the confrontation that led to Pretti’s death. Bovino’s claim that Pretti intended to “massacre” federal agents further inflamed public anger.
The Department of Homeland Security maintains that agents fired in self-defense after Pretti, who possessed a legally owned handgun, resisted attempts to disarm him. However, eyewitnesses, local officials, and Pretti’s family strongly dispute this account, asserting Pretti had a phone, not his gun, in his hand.
Pretti’s parents have accused the Trump administration of spreading “sickening lies” regarding the incident.
Bovino had been a key figure in the Trump administration’s approach to urban immigration enforcement, frequently documenting raids and posting promotional videos of his agents’ activities on social media. Now, Homan, who will report directly to Trump, is taking charge. Homan has been a vocal advocate for aggressive immigration enforcement under Trump but also possesses extensive experience in immigration and deportations dating back to the Obama administration.
Despite initial reports suggesting Bovino’s dismissal, spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin denied these claims, stating he remains “a key part of the president’s team and a great American.” The situation in Minneapolis continues to unfold, with heightened public scrutiny and ongoing calls for accountability.