Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino to Depart Minneapolis Amid Pretti Shooting Fallout
Gregory Bovino, the commander of the United States Border Patrol, is expected to leave Minneapolis today in the wake of the weekend killing of Alex Pretti. This incident marks the second time this month that a civilian has been fatally shot by federal immigration agents on American streets, sparking widespread controversy and political debate.
Bovino, known as an aggressive promoter of former President Donald Trump's deportation agenda, has emerged as the public face of the administration's immigration crackdown in Minnesota. His role has made him a lightning rod for criticism from Democratic lawmakers and civil liberties activists, who argue that his tactics are overly harsh and violate constitutional rights.
White House Walks Back Initial Claims About Alex Pretti
During Monday's press briefing, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt sought to clarify earlier statements made by senior administration officials regarding Pretti. Initially, Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller labelled the victim as "a domestic terrorist who tried to assassinate law enforcement," while Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem accused him of perpetrating "the definition of domestic terrorism."
These characterisations have been significantly undermined by video footage that surfaced after the incident. The footage shows Pretti being shot multiple times in the back after he was tackled to the ground by a group of US Border Patrol agents. At the time, Pretti had been filming the agents and was disarmed of his gun, raising questions about the use of lethal force.
Confusion Over Bovino's Status and Role
An unnamed source informed Reuters that Bovino had been stripped of his specially created title of "commander at large" of the Border Patrol. However, the Department of Homeland Security has pushed back against these demotion reports. DHS spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin stated, "Chief Gregory Bovino has NOT been relieved of his duties," and pointed to earlier comments from Leavitt praising Bovino as a "key part of the president's team and a great American."
This conflicting information adds to the uncertainty surrounding Bovino's future and the administration's handling of the situation. His departure from Minneapolis is seen as a move to de-escalate tensions in the region, where public outcry over the shootings has been growing.
Political Reactions and Calls for Investigation
Former President Donald Trump revealed on Monday that he had a "very good call" with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. Previously, Trump had blamed Walz for Pretti's death, but the governor described their conversation as "productive" in a post on social media platform X.
According to Walz, Trump agreed to consider pulling federal agents out of Minnesota and committed to discussing with the Department of Homeland Security the possibility of allowing the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to conduct an independent investigation into the shootings. This investigation would also cover the earlier incident this month that resulted in the death of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three.
The situation remains fluid, with further developments expected as investigations proceed and political pressure mounts. The departure of Bovino from Minneapolis is a significant step in addressing the fallout from these tragic events, but it is unlikely to quell the broader debates over immigration enforcement and federal authority in local jurisdictions.
