Gregory Bovino Removed From ‘Commander at Large’ Role, Expected to Return to El Centro
Gregory Bovino has been removed from his role as U.S. Border Patrol “commander at large” and is expected to return to his former position in El Centro, California, where he is anticipated to retire soon, according to reports from The Atlantic.
The move follows the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti in Minneapolis by Border Patrol agents who were operating under Bovino’s command. The incident has drawn national attention and increased scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement tactics. Video footage released publicly appears to contradict initial Department of Homeland Security statements alleging Pretti posed an imminent threat. According to the footage, Pretti—who was licensed to carry a concealed weapon—did not draw a firearm before being shot. The incident remains under investigation.
For the past several months, Bovino served as a high-profile figure in the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement efforts, leading operations in multiple U.S. cities and frequently appearing at press conferences and on social media. According to reports from The Atlantic, some veteran officials within Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S. Customs and Border Protection grew increasingly concerned about Bovino’s role, citing his public-facing approach and actions outside traditional command structures.
In Minneapolis, Bovino acted as the administration’s lead spokesperson following the shooting, publicly defending agents’ actions and placing blame on protesters and local officials. Border Patrol commanders typically avoid direct political engagement with elected officials.
Amid the fallout, President Donald Trump signaled a possible shift in the federal response. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said he is sending former ICE Director Tom Homan to Minnesota, stating that Homan will report directly to him. Trump also claimed that a separate federal investigation into alleged large-scale welfare fraud in Minnesota is underway and suggested it is connected to recent protests. The president further alleged that the Department of Justice and Congress are reviewing Congresswoman Ilhan Omar, though no details or evidence were provided.
Gregory Bovino has spent more than 25 years with the U.S. Border Patrol, beginning his career in 1996 after graduating from the Border Patrol Academy. Over the years, he advanced through a series of leadership roles across multiple sectors, including serving as Patrol Agent in Charge in Blythe, California, and Imperial Beach in the San Diego Sector, overseeing operations along the international border and inland checkpoints. He was later promoted to senior leadership positions at Border Patrol Headquarters, including Associate Chief of Policy, where he helped shape operational guidance and emergency response planning. Bovino also led the New Orleans and El Centro sectors, directing hundreds of agents and managing complex operations in diverse environments, and earned advanced degrees in National Security Strategy and Public Administration during his career.
In July 2023, Gregory Bovino was relieved of his command as Chief Patrol Agent of the El Centro Border Patrol Sector and was reassigned to a temporary role at Department of Homeland Security headquarters shortly after providing transcribed testimony in a joint Congressional oversight investigation into conditions at the Southwest border. According to a whistleblower and subsequent committee releases, the reassignment came within hours of his testimony, prompting allegations that Border Patrol officials had retaliated against him for cooperating with lawmakers.
House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark Green (R‑TN) and House Oversight and Accountability Committee Chairman James Comer (R‑KY) later issued a press release in August 2023 announcing Bovino’s reinstatement as Chief Patrol Agent for the El Centro Sector. The chairmen said the reinstatement underscored the importance of protecting witnesses who cooperate with Congressional inquiries and reiterated that retaliation against such witnesses “would not be tolerated.”
The White House has stated that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem retains the president’s confidence, despite reports from The Atlantic indicating that her position, along with that of senior adviser Corey Lewandowski, could face increased scrutiny. DHS and CBP officials have not publicly commented on Bovino’s reassignment.
760 News Media reached out to Gregory Bovino via Instagram for comment but has not received a response as of publication despite his account being active at the time the message was sent.