Gregory Bovino is out. The Border Patrol’s “commander at large” has been removed from his post and sent back to his old job in El Centro, California, where he is likely to retire soon. The news, first reported by The Atlantic, marks a major shakeup.
It suggests the Trump administration is taking a step back to look at its aggressive tactics after agents under Bovino’s command shot and killed 37-year-old Alex Pretti on Saturday.
Bovino had quickly become the face of the federal crackdown in Minneapolis, but the demotion signals that the White House feels the heat.
Earlier today, President Trump seemed to hint at a change in plans through a series of social media posts. He revealed that he had spoken directly with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, a Democrat, and things went better than expected.
READ: Surprise Truce: Trump And Walz Agree To ‘Cool Down’ Tensions In Minnesota
“Governor Tim Walz called me with the request to work together with respect to Minnesota,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. He called it a “very good call” and said the two were actually on a “similar wavelength.”
Trump told the governor he would have Tom Homan, who runs the deportation agenda, reach out directly. The goal, according to the president, is to focus on finding “any and all Criminals” in state custody.
While the leadership is changing, the administration isn’t backing down on the shootings themselves. Officials stand by the agents involved, claiming they faced serious danger in the recent deadly encounters.
They noted that Renee Good allegedly hit an ICE agent with her vehicle before she was killed. Regarding the death of Pretti, officials allege he was carrying a loaded gun and wrestling with agents on the ground before he was shot. READ: New Graphic POV Video Released In Deadly Minneapolis ICE Shooting
Trump’s Full Truth Social Statements From Monday:
Governor Tim Walz called me with the request to work together with respect to Minnesota. It was a very good call, and we, actually, seemed to be on a similar wavelength. I told Governor Walz that I would have Tom Homan call him, and that what we are looking for are any and all Criminals that they have in their possession. The Governor, very respectfully, understood that, and I will be speaking to him in the near future. He was happy that Tom Homan was going to Minnesota, and so am I! We have had such tremendous SUCCESS in Washington, D.C., Memphis, Tennessee, and New Orleans, Louisiana, and virtually every other place that we have “touched” and, even in Minnesota, Crime is way down, but both Governor Walz and I want to make it better! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP
I just had a very good telephone conversation with Mayor Jacob Frey, of Minneapolis. Lots of progress is being made! Tom Homan will be meeting with him tomorrow in order to continue the discussion. Thank you for your attention to this matter! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP
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