Ex-Border Patrol Chief Defends Aggressive Record in Exit Interview
Gregory Bovino, the former commander-at-large of the US Border Patrol, has staunchly defended his controversial tenure, asserting that Donald Trump's immigration crackdown did not go far enough. In a candid exit interview with the New York Times, Bovino expressed no regret over federal agents' fatal shootings of two US citizens in Minneapolis in January 2026, instead lamenting that he had not apprehended more undocumented immigrants.
Retirement and Controversial Statements
Bovino, who announced his retirement earlier in March, revealed that his departure at the end of the month was not entirely voluntary. He referred to Trump as "the Trumpster" and praised the administration's efforts, though he insisted more could have been done. "We went as hard as we could, but there's always a creative and innovative solution to catching even more," he stated, emphasizing his desire for "total border domination."
His career, spanning over 30 years, included leadership in California's El Centro sector before he was appointed to head Operation Metro Surge in Minnesota under Trump. However, after federal agents fatally shot Alex Pretti and Renee Good in separate incidents in Minneapolis, Trump demoted Bovino. Both shootings remain under investigation, with video evidence showing Pretti was unarmed when killed.
Aggressive Tactics and Public Backlash
Bovino became the public face of immigration sweeps in Democratic-led cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, Charlotte, and New Orleans, personally engaging in tactics such as lobbing pepper gas canisters into crowds. He reported directly to then-Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, earning widespread criticism from left-leaning groups and politicians. California Governor Gavin Newsom notably compared Bovino's dark green coat to Nazi SS garb, a comment Bovino dismissed by explaining he purchased the coat early in his career.
In the interview, Bovino admitted to using politically incorrect language, referring to undocumented immigrants as "scum," "trash," and "filth," and calling Barack Obama by his middle name, Hussein. He also described migrants during the COVID-19 pandemic as "walking zombies" and organized teams to conduct "consensual encounters" at gas stations and transit hubs to check immigration status.
Legal Challenges and Retirement Plans
Bovino is currently facing multiple lawsuits from civil rights groups, including an internal investigation for allegedly disparaging a Jewish prosecutor. He denied these accusations, calling them unfounded. Despite the controversies, he expressed pride in his actions, stating he received "a lot of kudos from the Trumpster" via top aide Corey Lewandowski.
His retirement plans include focusing on environmental conservation, specifically targeting "non-native invasive species" like coyotes that threaten local timber rattlesnakes in North Carolina. Bovino clarified he was not referring to human smugglers, known as coyotes, but to the animals, vowing to take matters into his own hands.
The Times interview highlighted Bovino's unapologetic stance, with a Homeland Security spokesperson previously describing him as "a badass" chosen for his tough approach. However, after the Minneapolis shootings, Bovino was ordered to stand down, marking a contentious end to his career in border enforcement.
