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Border Patrol Commander in Minneapolis Exits Amid Fatal Shooting Controversy
Gregory Bovino, the architect behind President Donald Trump’s aggressive immigration crackdown in Minneapolis, is leaving the city after federal agents fatally shot two people in less than three weeks. Bovino had emerged as the administration’s point man for implementing large-scale immigration enforcement operations across major U.S. cities.
Before his assignment to Minnesota in December, Bovino led similar sweeps in Los Angeles, Chicago and New Orleans. The Department of Homeland Security described the Minneapolis operation as its largest-ever immigration enforcement initiative. Throughout his tenure, Bovino has become known—and heavily criticized—for his confrontational tactics that break from traditional enforcement norms.
“We’re going to turn and burn to that next target and the next and the next and the next, and we’re not going to stop,” Bovino said during an earlier interview at a federal building in West Los Angeles, where he was temporarily based during operations in that city.
Controversial Enforcement Methods
Bovino’s approach has consistently pushed boundaries. Under his direction, agents have smashed car windows, used explosives to breach homes, and deployed unusual tactics like patrolling Los Angeles’ MacArthur Park on horseback.
When questioned about these methods, Bovino has been unapologetic. He defended smashing windows when drivers refuse to exit their vehicles as “a safer tactic than letting someone drive away and then getting in a high-speed pursuit.” Similarly, he called the decision to blast open a door during a raid in Huntington Park, California, a “very, very prudent, thoughtful application of tactics.”
This aggressive posture represents a significant departure from traditional immigration enforcement protocols. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), which has historically led interior enforcement operations, typically conducts lengthy investigations of specific targets before making arrests. But Bovino’s “turn and burn” strategy prioritizes speed and volume over the more methodical approach that one official once described as “watching paint dry.”
Chicago Helicopter Deployment Sparked Outrage
In Chicago, Bovino oversaw one of his most controversial operations when agents rappelled from a Black Hawk helicopter to storm an apartment complex, deployed chemical agents near a public school, and handcuffed a Chicago City Council member at a hospital.
Authorities claimed they were targeting the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua, but of the 37 immigrants arrested, only two were confirmed gang members. The others were simply in the country illegally, some with criminal histories. One U.S. citizen was arrested on an outstanding narcotics warrant.
The operation drew fierce criticism from community activists, residents, and local leaders, who said the militarized tactics sparked violence and increased neighborhood tensions. Bovino also received a rare public rebuke from a federal judge who accused him of misleading the court about threats posed by protesters and deploying tear gas and pepper balls without justification.
Career Trajectory and Philosophy
Bovino joined the Border Patrol in 1996 and is approaching the agency’s mandatory retirement age of 57. He previously served as Border Patrol chief in El Centro, California, historically a quiet sector of the southern border that has become even less active as illegal crossings have dropped to their lowest levels in six decades.
His media-savvy approach has been evident throughout his career. In 2021, he led journalists in swimming across the dangerous All-American Canal to demonstrate its risks to migrants. In 2023, he locked reporters in a vehicle trunk to illustrate smuggling dangers.
Bovino was nearly forced into retirement in 2023 when he was relieved of his command in El Centro. He attributed this to an online profile picture showing him with an M4 assault rifle, social media posts deemed inappropriate, and his congressional testimony on border conditions during a record migrant surge. However, the change in administration from Biden to Trump in 2025 revitalized his career, turning him into what some call a “MAGA-world hero.”
While the administration often claims to target the “worst of the worst,” Bovino embraces a broader approach that includes arresting people with deep roots in the country. He justifies this by saying they “skip the line” ahead of those waiting to enter legally, adding: “The folks undercutting American businesses, is that right? Absolutely not. That’s why we have immigration laws in the first place, and that’s why I’m here.”
A recent internal ICE memo obtained by The Associated Press revealed a significant policy shift: administrative warrants are now considered sufficient for federal officers to forcibly enter homes if there’s a final order of removal—a change that aligns with Bovino’s aggressive enforcement philosophy.
Paul Beeson, who previously selected Bovino to lead Border Patrol stations in California, described him as someone who is “not afraid to push the envelope, very articulate, leads from the front.” This willingness to test boundaries has defined Bovino’s approach throughout his career, including a 2010 operation in Las Vegas that was called off after just one hour when it yielded dozens of arrests and provoked outrage from then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid.
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10 Comments
The details in this article raise serious questions about the tactics and leadership of this immigration enforcement commander. Controversial methods that prioritize political optics over public safety and community relations are concerning. I hope there is closer scrutiny and accountability around these operations going forward.
Agreed. Transparency and oversight are critical when it comes to immigration enforcement activities that can have such significant impacts on individuals and communities. Responsible, lawful, and humane practices should be the priority, not political grandstanding.
It’s concerning to see the Trump administration doubling down on harsh immigration enforcement tactics, even in the face of controversies like the Minneapolis shootings. This commander’s confrontational style seems to prioritize political messaging over practical solutions. I hope we can move towards more balanced, humane immigration policies.
While immigration is a thorny policy challenge, the enforcement tactics described in this article seem heavy-handed and counterproductive. I’m concerned about the fatal shootings and the apparent lack of concern for community relations and de-escalation. We need a smarter, more humane approach that upholds the rule of law without inflaming tensions.
The fatal shootings of two people during these immigration enforcement operations in Minneapolis are very troubling. I hope there are thorough investigations to understand what happened and whether the use of force was justified. Aggressive crackdowns like this often end up harming vulnerable communities.
Absolutely. The loss of life is tragic, and these kinds of incidents further erode public trust in law enforcement and immigration authorities. A more measured, humanitarian approach would likely be more effective and less damaging to communities.
This article highlights the need for a more balanced, measured approach to immigration enforcement that prioritizes public safety and human rights over political agendas. The commander’s confrontational tactics and ‘turn and burn’ mentality are deeply troubling. I hope we can move towards more constructive solutions on this complex issue.
While immigration is a complex and sensitive issue, I’m not convinced that aggressive crackdowns and a ‘turn and burn’ mentality are the right approach. These tactics seem more likely to escalate tensions than resolve underlying problems. I hope we can find a way forward that balances security concerns with compassion and respect for human rights.
This is an interesting story about the commander behind Trump’s aggressive immigration crackdown tactics. It’s concerning to hear about the controversial enforcement methods used, especially the quote about ‘turning and burning’ to the next target. I wonder if these tactics are effective or just create more tension and conflict.
I agree, the enforcement methods described seem quite heavy-handed and confrontational. This approach may score political points but likely does little to address the root issues around immigration policy and reform.