700 Agents Departed After Former Chief Described Pullback As Surrender

Federal immigration enforcement in Minneapolis has entered a quiet phase, yet the political fallout from the operation remains intense. Greg Bovino, the former head of US border patrol, told the BBC on Friday that the administration's decision to withdraw its force was a surrender. He described the exit as the White House throwing in the towel after a contentious campaign that resulted in the deaths of two US citizens.

Bovino stated that roughly 700 agents left the state following the removal of the operation from his command. He argued that deportations have reached a virtual standstill since the pullout. The former chief, now 56 years old, said he regretted not arresting more individuals during his tenure. He characterized his officers as the real victims of what he labeled the most violent law enforcement mission in US history.

The withdrawal followed the January shootings of Renee Good and Alex Pretti, both of whom were killed by agents during the operation. Video footage of the incidents sparked protests and bipartisan criticism. President Donald Trump announced a plan to de-escalate the situation, leading to the departure of the federal force. Tom Homan, the White House border coordinator, subsequently took over the operation.

Legal challenges have emerged against the administration as a result of the Good incident. Her family filed two civil lawsuits earlier this month, alleging wrongful death and civil rights violations. The complaints name Bovino and Jonathan Ross, the agent who shot Good, for their roles in the operation. The family’s lawyers described the lawsuits as a necessary step to address state-sponsored violence, despite a White House spokeswoman calling the claims baseless.

Bovino dismissed the legal actions, noting that people file lawsuits frequently. He said he was not responding to the specific case but praised the officers sent to Minneapolis. When asked about the video evidence suggesting the victims intended to harm agents, Bovino maintained that violence was perpetrated against the government. He stated that society is governed by laws and that citizens must follow them or face consequences.

The former chief also addressed his sudden removal from the role. He said he has not received a final explanation from the administration for his departure. Kristi Noem, the Homeland Security secretary at the time, was fired by Trump in March. Bovino has since retired from the border patrol and is currently campaigning for tougher immigration enforcement in Detroit.

He has proposed a total spectrum of immigration enforcement backed by the military and claimed that 100 million people are in the US illegally. A White House spokesperson countered that more than 3 million illegal aliens have left the country under current policies. Bovino also suggested he might run for president in 2028 if politicians fail to act, a statement made shortly after he addressed a rally in Michigan supporting the deportation of a Democratic Senate candidate.