Gregory Bovino, the Border Patrol commander who emerged as a prominent figure in the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement operations, has been reassigned to his previous position and had his government social media accounts revoked following his public statements about a fatal shooting incident in Minneapolis.
According to a report from the Atlantic published Monday, Bovino will return to his former role in El Centro, California, where sources indicate he is expected to retire in the near future.
A Homeland Security official and two individuals with knowledge of the personnel change confirmed the reassignment.
Border Patrol Commissioner Rodney Scott ordered the removal of Bovino’s access to government social media platforms, according to Homeland Security sources who spoke with the Daily Mail.
The decision followed Bovino’s weekend-long defense of federal officers involved in the shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, on a Minneapolis street.
During the weekend, Bovino posted numerous responses on social media platform X, repeatedly writing “don’t assault federal officers” in reply to users who shared positive biographical details about Pretti.
When one account stated that Pretti “never at any time produced a gun,” Bovino countered that “the SUSPECT confronted and assaulted officers and was armed while doing so.”
The commander engaged in public disputes with multiple elected officials across party lines.
Republican Congressman Thomas Massie of Kentucky stated that “carrying a firearm is not a death sentence, it’s a Constitutionally protected God-given right and if you don’t understand this you have no business in law enforcement or government.”
Bovino responded to Massie by stating: “Attacking law enforcement is not a right like you want it to be.”
The commander also responded to Republican Louisiana Senator Bill Cassidy and Texas Democrat Senate candidate James Talarico, both of whom requested independent investigations into the shooting.
Author Stephen King also received a response from Bovino.
After posting more than 40 replies concerning the Pretti shooting on Saturday and Sunday, Bovino’s social media account ceased activity for at least 11 hours.
The Daily Mail reported that Tricia McLaughlin, assistant press secretary for the Department of Homeland Security, clarified that Bovino had not been terminated and continues to be a “key part of the president’s team.”
The personnel change represents part of a broader reorganization within the Trump administration at the direction of Border Czar Tom Homan.
Both Bovino and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem have been moved to the sidelines as Homan travels to Minneapolis.
Prior to his elevation during the second Trump administration, Bovino served as the Chief Patrol Agent of the El Centro Sector of the Border Patrol in southern California.
Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey confirmed that President Trump arranged a meeting between himself and Homan upon the latter’s arrival.
The reassignment aims to reduce tensions between federal agents and demonstrators that intensified Saturday following Pretti’s death.
Bovino, who has been referred to as “little Napoleon,” per the Daily Mail, drew White House criticism when he claimed Pretti intended to “massacre” federal agents.
President Trump devoted considerable time Sunday and Monday monitoring cable news coverage and expressed concern about the administration’s public portrayal, according to a CNN source within the administration.
Noem characterized the ICU nurse as a “domestic terrorist” and stated he brandished a firearm, which generated additional frustration among administration officials.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt separated Trump from Noem’s characterization on Monday, noting it did not reflect the President’s position.
Bovino maintains loyalty to Noem and Corey Lewandowski, and both have reportedly promoted him as a potential successor to current Border Patrol chief Rodney Scott, a longtime Homan associate.
