Bovino Denounces Minneapolis Withdrawal as Administrative Surrender

Tensions remain high over the federal government's handling of immigration enforcement in Minneapolis, where a former top official has sharply criticized the leadership's recent decisions. Greg Bovino, who served as the chief of US Border Patrol and became the public symbol of the city's deportation campaign, described the withdrawal of agents as a clear act of surrender. He made these remarks during an interview with the BBC, framing the exit as a strategic failure rather than a calculated retreat.

Bovino maintains that the operation was necessary and that the administration prematurely ended its efforts. Speaking from Detroit, where he is campaigning for stricter immigration controls, he stated that the White House effectively threw in the towel. He argued that deportations have reached a virtual standstill and expressed regret for not arresting more undocumented immigrants in Minnesota. He characterized his own agents as the real victims of what he called the most violence ever faced by a law enforcement mission in American history.

The controversy stems from the deaths of two US citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, in January. Both shootings were captured on video, triggering a bipartisan backlash and widespread protests across the region. Following the incidents, President Donald Trump announced a plan to de-escalate the situation and removed hundreds of immigration officers from the city. Approximately 700 agents left the state, and Tom Homan, known as the White House border tsar, assumed command of the remaining operations.

Legal battles are now intensifying as Good's family pursues civil action against the administration. Earlier this month, the family filed two lawsuits alleging wrongful death and a conspiracy to interfere with the civil rights of protesters. One suit names Bovino and Jonathan Ross, the agent who shot Good, citing their specific roles in the operation. The legal team argues that the federal presence created an unprecedented environment for state-sponsored violence. A White House spokeswoman has dismissed the claims as baseless.

Bovino has attempted to distance himself from the legal proceedings, stating he is not responding to the lawsuit. He waved away the legal action by noting that people file lawsuits frequently. However, the family's lawyers pushed back, accusing Bovino of spouting propaganda and acting as judge, jury, and executioner. They expressed anticipation for the deposition of Bovino and other defendants, signaling that the legal fight is just beginning.

During the interview, Bovino defended the use of force despite the video evidence showing the interactions. He rejected the idea that the footage undermines his claim that Good and Pretti intended to harm agents. He asserted that violence was perpetrated against US government agents and that society must follow the law to avoid consequences. This stance contrasts with Trump's evolving rhetoric. The president initially described Good as violently and willfully running over an officer, but later called her death a tragedy and acknowledged that agents sometimes make mistakes.

Bovino, who is now 56, was removed from his role shortly after the shootings. He has since retired from the border patrol but remains vocal on immigration policy. When asked about his dismissal, he said he had not received the final word from the administration. His former boss, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, was fired by Trump in March. Bovino has called for total spectrum immigration enforcement backed by the military and has claimed without evidence that 100 million people live in the US illegally.

The White House maintains that Trump has delivered the largest reduction in illegal immigration in modern history, with more than 3 million undocumented immigrants leaving the country due to his policies. Bovino is also positioning himself for future political influence, suggesting he may explore a presidential run in 2028. He recently addressed a far-right rally in Michigan, where activists demanded the deportation of Abdul El-Sayed, a Democratic Senate candidate and US-born citizen who would become the first Muslim US senator if he wins his election against Republican Mike Rogers.