Trump Sends Border Czar to Minnesota as Bovino and Agents Depart Minneapolis

Updated 2026-01-27 14:23:39+00:00 (5 articles)

Image: Newsweek

U.S. Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino stands with Federal agents outside a convenience store on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis) Source Full size
Image: Newsweek

U.S. Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino stands with Federal agents outside a convenience store on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 2026, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Angelina Katsanis) Source Full size

Bovino and select agents slated to leave Minneapolis Tuesday Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino and a contingent of agents will exit Minneapolis as early as Tuesday, a move described by multiple outlets as a “mutual decision” after the fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti [1][2][3][4][5]. The departure follows intense protests and a National Guard deployment that began Saturday when agents shot Pretti on Eat Street [1][2]. State and city officials have sued DHS to revert to pre‑surge staffing levels, and U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez is hearing arguments on a possible emergency halt to the crackdown [1][2].

President Trump appoints border czar Tom Homan to run ICE operations Trump announced on Monday that Tom Homan, the administration’s “border czar,” will serve as the primary on‑ground contact for Immigration and Customs Enforcement in Minnesota [1][2][3][4][5]. Homan’s arrival coincides with Governor Tim Walz’s request for coordinated violent‑crime immigration enforcement and a potential reduction in federal agents [1][3][4][5]. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that Homan, not Bovino, will lead Minneapolis efforts while the president remains “on the same wavelength” with the governor [3][4][5].

DHS suspends Bovino’s social‑media access but retains his national role The Department of Homeland Security immediately blocked Bovino’s X accounts after he exchanged messages with lawmakers about the Pretti shooting, signaling internal tension [5]. Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin later posted that Bovino “has NOT been relieved of his duties” and remains “a key part of the President’s team,” a statement echoed by the White House [2][5]. Despite the social‑media suspension, Bovino continues to lead nationwide Border Patrol operations, including the controversial Operation Metro Surge [2][5].

Judge rebukes Bovino’s false claims while lawsuit proceeds In a separate case, Judge Sara Ellis found video evidence disproved Bovino’s account of being struck with a rock during a Chicago deployment, concluding he had lied about the incident [5]. Meanwhile, Judge Menendez’s hearing on the Minnesota lawsuit continues, with the judge labeling the case a priority but having issued no ruling yet [1][2]. Democratic senators have threatened to block DHS funding, raising the specter of a partial government shutdown if the Senate does not act [1].

Sources

Timeline

2025 – The Trump administration launches Operation Metro Surge, deploying Border Patrol agents to Los Angeles, Chicago, Charlotte and Minneapolis as part of a nationwide immigration‑enforcement push; Gregory Bovino commands the operation, which later becomes the focal point of controversy after a fatal shooting in Minnesota [2].

2025 – Federal Judge Sara Ellis rebukes Bovino for false claims about being hit with a rock during a Chicago deployment, concluding he lied about the incident and underscoring a pattern of misinformation in his leadership [1].

Early Jan 2026 – Minnesota, Minneapolis and St. Paul file a lawsuit against DHS seeking to revert to pre‑surge staffing levels, arguing that the federal presence violates state authority and escalates tensions [2].

Sat Jan 24, 2026 – ICU nurse Alex Pretti is shot and killed by Border Patrol agents during a protest on Eat Street in Minneapolis, igniting nationwide outrage and sparking a Minnesota National Guard deployment and a Bureau of Criminal Apprehension investigation [2][3].

Jan 25, 2026 – President Donald Trump announces on social media that he is sending “border czar” Tom Homan to Minnesota to oversee ICE operations, signaling a shift in on‑the‑ground leadership after the Pretti shooting [4][5].

Jan 25, 2026 – Bovino publicly alleges that Pretti “planned a massacre of federal agents,” a claim that fuels further scrutiny and criticism of the federal response [4][5].

Jan 26, 2026 – DHS immediately blocks Bovino’s social‑media accounts after his contentious exchanges with lawmakers about the shooting, reflecting heightened internal tension [1].

Jan 26, 2026 – White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt clarifies that Homan will lead Minneapolis operations while Bovino “remains a key part of the President’s team,” countering rumors of his removal [1][4].

Jan 26, 2026 – U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez hears arguments on an emergency request to pause the Minnesota immigration‑enforcement surge, indicating that a ruling could affect enforcement nationwide [3].

Jan 26, 2026 – Democratic senators announce they will block DHS funding unless the administration addresses the Pretti shooting, raising the prospect of a partial government shutdown by week’s end [3].

Tue Jan 28, 2026 – Bovino and a contingent of Border Patrol agents depart Minneapolis, ending his visible role in the Minnesota crackdown; the exit is described as a “mutual decision” after officials express they are “deeply frustrated” with his and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s handling of the fallout [1][4][5].

Late Jan 2026 (planned) – Governor Tim Walz and President Trump agree to consider scaling back the number of federal agents in Minnesota and to coordinate more closely on violent‑crime immigration enforcement, indicating a potential de‑escalation of the federal presence [4][5].