Border Patrol’s Gregory Bovino to retire, sources say
Border Patrol’s Gregory Bovino to Retire, Sources Say
Gregory Bovino, the head of U.S. Border Patrol who became a central figure in President Donald Trump’s immigration enforcement efforts, is set to step down from his position at the end of the month, according to two Customs and Border Protection officials. The announcement follows a shift in his responsibilities, as he was relieved of his national commander role in January and reassigned to his previous post as sector chief in El Centro, California.
Retirement Date Aligns with Key Transition
Bovino’s departure coincides with the final day of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem’s tenure, as declared by President Trump. In his role as commander, he directly reported to Noem and her senior adviser Corey Lewandowski. The decision to retire also reflects his proximity to the mandatory 57-year age limit for CBP officials.
Controversies and Enforcement Tactics
His exit follows a series of incidents, including the fatal shootings of two U.S. citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, during aggressive immigration operations in Minneapolis. These events occurred after Bovino was removed from the national command in January. A report by the Department of Homeland Security noted that Pretti was shot multiple times by CBP officers on January 24, though it remained unclear if both firearms struck him.
“When we discover any alleged or potential misconduct, we immediately refer it for investigation and cooperate fully with any criminal or administrative investigations,” said a Department of Homeland Security spokesperson in an email response to previous inquiries.
Earlier in the year, Bovino faced criticism for his tactics in Chicago, where he led Operation Metro Surge. A federal judge reprimanded him after he used chemical agents in residential areas, defying a court order to limit their deployment. The judge also found Bovino had repeatedly misled authorities about threats from immigrants and protesters. In one instance, he claimed to have thrown a gas canister after being hit by a rock, but video evidence disproved the story.
Protests and Legal Battles
During his tenure in Los Angeles, Bovino’s team conducted sweeping arrests at workplaces and homes, sparking five days of protests. These demonstrations prompted Trump to deploy the National Guard and Marines to the area. Similar tactics were later applied in New Orleans and Charlotte, among other locations in North Carolina. Prior to his national role, Bovino was sued in Kern County, California, for targeting agriculture workers and detaining individuals based on appearance and skin color.
Legal claims from the Kern County lawsuit alleged that border officials used deceptive methods to encourage people to leave the country. The incidents highlighted tensions between enforcement strategies and community relations, as Bovino’s actions drew both legal scrutiny and public backlash. CBS News was the first to disclose his retirement plans, which align with a broader administrative transition period.
Despite his leadership in high-profile operations, Bovino’s tenure has been marked by criticism over aggressive tactics and perceived lack of oversight. His approach, which included deploying gas canisters into crowds, has been featured in promotional materials by the White House, emphasizing his role in the administration’s immigration crackdown. As NBC News’ Senior Homeland Security Correspondent, Suzanne Gamboa has been covering these developments.
