Bovino Claims 700 Agents Left Minnesota in Surrender

The federal immigration presence in Minnesota dropped by 700 agents following the removal of Greg Bovino, a number the former border patrol chief says marks a strategic retreat. Bovino told the BBC that the Trump administration threw in the towel after two US citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, were killed in January. Both incidents were recorded on video, triggering protests across the country. President Trump responded by ordering a partial withdrawal of officers from Minneapolis.

Bovino, who is 56, described the pullback as a surrender. He stated that deportations have reached a virtual standstill since Tom Homan, the White House border tsar, took over operations. Speaking from Detroit, where he campaigned for stricter enforcement, Bovino expressed regret for not arresting more people during his tenure. He characterized his team as the real victims of what he called the most violence faced by a law enforcement mission in US history.

The former chief addressed the two civil lawsuits filed by Good’s family earlier this month. The suits allege wrongful death and civil rights interference, naming Bovino and officer Jonathan Ross as individual defendants. Bovino said he was not responding to the legal action, noting that people file lawsuits frequently. He maintained that video evidence supports his claim that the two women intended to harm agents. He argued that if citizens do not follow the law, there are consequences.

The family’s lawyers pushed back against Bovino’s comments, accusing him of spouting propaganda. They stated that he cannot serve as judge, jury, and executioner in a matter that affects their client. The legal team said they look forward to deposing Bovino and other defendants. A White House spokeswoman had previously labeled the lawsuits baseless. Bovino has not received a formal explanation for his removal from the role.

Kristi Noem, the homeland security secretary during the operation, was fired by Trump in March. Bovino has since retired from the border patrol. He now advocates for total spectrum immigration enforcement backed by the military. He claims, without presenting evidence, that 100 million people live in the US illegally. A White House spokesperson countered that more than 3 million illegal aliens have left the country due to current policies.

Bovino also suggested he is exploring a presidential run in 2028. He said that if politicians fail to act, voters may see new candidates emerge. He recently spoke at a far-right rally in Michigan where activists demanded the deportation of Abdul El-Sayed. El-Sayed is a US-born citizen and Democratic Senate candidate who would become the first Muslim US senator if he defeats Republican Mike Rogers.