The controversial presence of a senior U.S. Border Patrol commander in Minneapolis is coming to an end following nationwide backlash over the fatal shooting of 37-year-old Alex Pretti by federal agents. Critics from local leaders to national lawmakers have intensified calls for a shift in immigration enforcement tactics, prompting changes in leadership and strategy within the Trump administration’s federal operation.
Federal Leadership Shift After Pretti’s Death
Senior U.S. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino is expected to leave Minneapolis as early as Tuesday, officials familiar with the situation confirm. The move comes as the Trump administration restructures its immigration enforcement presence in the city, scaling back a heavily criticized deployment that had drawn protests and legal challenges.
President Donald Trump has reassigned Border Patrol leadership responsibilities to former ICE Director Tom Homan, who will oversee ongoing operations in Minnesota and report directly to the White House. The shift is designed to de-escalate tensions while maintaining a federal role in immigration policy enforcement.
Backlash Over the Shooting and Political Repercussions
The departure of Bovino follows widespread criticism after Border Patrol agents fatally shot Alex Pretti, an ICU nurse, last weekend in Minneapolis. Pretti’s death — the second fatal federal agent shooting in the city this month — ignited sharp local outrage and protests.
Federal officials initially characterized Pretti’s actions as threatening, but video footage and witness accounts have raised questions about that narrative. Local officials, including Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, have urged federal leaders to reduce the enforcement surge and address public safety concerns.
Ongoing Tensions and Future of Immigration Enforcement
While the Department of Homeland Security maintains that leadership changes are aimed at easing local tensions, the move has not entirely quelled public dissatisfaction. Protests remain active, and bipartisan calls for accountability continue to shape the national discussion on federal immigration policy and law enforcement conduct.
With Bovino’s expected exit, the Trump administration is navigating a delicate balance between enforcing immigration laws and responding to political and public scrutiny — a dynamic likely to influence similar federal operations in the months ahead.
