Trump Removes ICE Leader Bovino from Minnesota After Shootings Fallout/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino is being removed from Minneapolis as President Trump restructures immigration enforcement following two fatal shootings. Tom Homan will now lead operations and report directly to the White House. Legal and political pressure mounts over the federal crackdown.
Immigration Enforcement Reshuffle Quick Looks
- Gregory Bovino exits Minneapolis, Trump installs Tom Homan as ICE chief in Minnesota.
- Bovino drew backlash after claiming Alex Pretti planned to “massacre” officers — an unproven allegation.
- Trump signals a toned-down approach, calling recent talks with Walz and Frey “productive.”
- Homan will coordinate ICE actions and report directly to Trump.
- 2,000+ ICE officers and 1,000 Border Patrol agents are active in Minnesota.
- Federal judge hears lawsuit to halt “Operation Metro Surge.”
- State claims federal crackdown is punitive retaliation for sanctuary policies.
- Federal judge questions legality of DHS overreach and executive authority.
- A second ruling restricts tear gas use on peaceful protesters.
- Protesters continue outside Bovino’s hotel despite leadership change.
Trump Removes ICE Leader Bovino from Minnesota After Shootings Fallout: Deep Look
Minneapolis, MN — Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino will depart Minnesota on Tuesday as President Donald Trump reshapes his immigration crackdown in response to mounting criticism, legal challenges, and civil unrest after two fatal shootings involving federal agents.
The White House confirmed that Tom Homan, Trump’s designated border czar, will assume command of federal immigration operations in Minnesota and report directly to the president. The move signals an effort to regain control of a rapidly escalating situation that has drawn national scrutiny.
Bovino’s exit follows outrage over his inflammatory public claim that Alex Pretti, the ICU nurse fatally shot by Border Patrol agents on Saturday, had been plotting to “massacre” law enforcement officers — a statement that has not been corroborated by investigators.
Backlash, Legal Pressure, and A Leadership Shift
Local officials, civil rights groups, and Democrats in Congress have sharply criticized Bovino’s leadership, especially given his role in prior controversial crackdowns in cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Charlotte.
A source familiar with the transition told the Associated Press that Bovino is one of several federal agents being withdrawn from Minnesota, as the administration attempts to de-escalate tensions. The source was not authorized to speak publicly.
The move comes just days after Pretti’s shooting and the earlier killing of Renee Good, both of which occurred during the federal “Operation Metro Surge” — a sweeping enforcement initiative that placed thousands of federal agents on Minnesota streets.
Trump, Walz, and Frey Signal Cooperation
Trump recently spoke by phone with Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey, calling their conversations “productive” and expressing a willingness to reconsider the scale and scope of the federal operation.
According to Walz’s office, Trump agreed to review the number of federal agents deployed, and said he would speak with DHS to allow state investigators to conduct independent reviews of the shootings.
Frey said he urged Trump to end the enforcement surge entirely, and plans to meet with Tom Homan to discuss next steps.
Trump’s softened tone marks a significant change after weeks of combative rhetoric, where the administration accused Minnesota leaders of encouraging lawlessness and refusing to cooperate.
Federal Crackdown Faces Courtroom Scrutiny
The Trump administration’s actions in Minnesota are now being challenged in multiple federal courtrooms.
On Monday, attorneys for the state and the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul argued before U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez, requesting an emergency injunction to halt Operation Metro Surge. They claim the initiative is retaliation for local sanctuary policies, violating both constitutional and civil rights.
“If this is not stopped right here, right now, I don’t think anybody… can have much faith in how our republic is going to go,” said Minnesota Assistant Attorney General Brian Carter.
Judge Menendez pressed federal attorneys on the administration’s motives and challenged whether the executive branch has overstepped its authority under the guise of immigration enforcement. She was especially critical of a recent letter from Attorney General Pam Bondi, demanding access to state voter rolls and welfare records as part of the crackdown.
“Is there no limit to what the executive can do under the guise of enforcing immigration law?” Menendez asked.
She ordered the Justice Department to file a new brief by 6 p.m. Wednesday, addressing whether the surge violates state sovereignty and federalism.
Parallel Legal Battles and Evidence Disputes
Meanwhile, a separate lawsuit is underway to prevent the Trump administration from destroying or altering evidence related to Pretti’s shooting. A federal judge temporarily blocked DHS from handling the evidence without oversight, citing the state Bureau of Criminal Apprehension’s concerns that they were being denied access to the scene.
The Justice Department has moved to lift that order, arguing it constitutes judicial overreach and that federal agents are following proper evidence-handling procedures.
Protests Continue, Despite Bovino’s Exit
Despite the leadership change, protests continued Monday night outside a Minneapolis hotel where demonstrators believed Bovino was staying. Crowds banged pots, blew whistles, and chanted, while police kept them away from the entrance.
The public remains skeptical of the administration’s motives and whether Homan’s takeover will bring meaningful change. Critics warn that unless the federal presence is scaled back significantly, tensions will remain high.
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