Trump Replaces Border Patrol Chief Amid Minneapolis Turmoil

Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino’s imminent departure from Minneapolis marks a dramatic turning point in the Trump administration’s controversial immigration crackdown, following weeks of tension, tragedy, and mounting political pressure. As Bovino and several federal agents prepare to leave Minnesota on Tuesday, the White House signals a possible shift in strategy after two fatal shootings by federal officers—most recently that of ICU nurse Alex Pretti—that have left the city on edge and the nation watching closely.

The leadership shake-up comes on the heels of a weekend that saw Minneapolis thrust into the national spotlight. According to the Associated Press, President Donald Trump has tapped Tom Homan, a figure well-known for his hardline stance on immigration enforcement, to take the reins of the operation. Homan will report directly to the White House, a move that underscores the seriousness with which the administration is treating the evolving situation in Minnesota.

Bovino’s tenure at the helm of the federal crackdown drew fierce criticism from local officials, civil rights advocates, and congressional Democrats. His leadership style—marked by highly visible raids and a robust social media presence—sparked mass demonstrations not just in Minneapolis, but also in cities like Los Angeles, Chicago, and Charlotte. The flashpoint, however, came with the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti on January 24, 2026. Pretti, an ICU nurse and bystander reportedly filming agents, was shot multiple times by Border Patrol officers during a confrontation. Bovino’s subsequent claim that Pretti had planned to “massacre” law enforcement officers—a characterization not substantiated by evidence—only fueled public outrage.

The Department of Homeland Security maintains that agents fired in self-defense after Pretti, who they allege was armed, resisted attempts to disarm him. Yet, eyewitnesses, local officials, and Pretti’s family have challenged this account, insisting he was holding a phone, not a weapon. As reported by BBC, Pretti’s parents have accused the administration of spreading “sickening lies” about the incident. His sister, Micayla Pretti, issued a statement describing her brother as “my hero,” and poignantly asked, “When does this end? How many more innocent lives must be lost before we say enough?”

The shooting of Pretti was the second such fatality involving federal immigration officers in Minneapolis in less than a month. On January 7, 2026, Renee Nicole Good was killed by an Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agent, further heightening tension and leading to widespread calls for accountability and independent investigation.

The federal crackdown has been met with resistance from local leaders. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey told reporters he personally urged President Trump to end the surge of federal agents, and said Trump agreed that the “present situation cannot continue.” Frey added that he plans to meet with Homan to discuss next steps, reflecting a more collaborative tone between city and federal officials. Governor Tim Walz echoed this sentiment, describing his recent phone call with Trump as “productive”—a marked departure from the adversarial rhetoric that preceded it.

According to Axios, Walz said Trump was not previously aware that Minnesota’s Department of Corrections already complies with ICE requests to notify the agency before releasing undocumented inmates. “I think once [Trump] heard that from me, he’s like, ‘Well, that’s helpful,’” Walz recounted. Trump himself posted on social media that he and Walz were “on a similar wavelength,” and the president pledged to “do things differently.”

Despite the leadership change, the federal presence in Minnesota remains significant. As of January 26, there were more than 3,000 immigration agents on the ground, including about 2,000 ICE officers and at least 1,000 Border Patrol agents, according to court testimony. The ongoing operation, known as Operation Metro Surge, has drawn legal challenges from the state and the cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul. U.S. District Judge Katherine Menendez is currently weighing whether to grant a temporary halt to the enforcement surge, as plaintiffs argue that the situation on the streets is “so dire it requires the court to halt the federal government’s enforcement actions.”

In a recent court hearing, Judge Menendez questioned the federal government’s motives and the constitutionality of its actions, especially in light of a letter from Attorney General Pam Bondi requesting access to state voter rolls and welfare records and calling for the repeal of sanctuary policies. “I mean, is there no limit to what the executive can do under the guise of enforcing immigration law?” Menendez asked from the bench, highlighting the deep constitutional questions at stake.

Meanwhile, the legal battles continue on multiple fronts. A federal appeals court recently declined to lift a temporary hold on a ruling that bars federal officers from detaining or tear-gassing peaceful protesters in Minnesota, including those who are simply observing or following agents. Another judge is considering whether to allow the Trump administration to destroy or alter evidence related to Pretti’s shooting—an issue that state authorities say is critical, given what they describe as a lack of cooperation from federal officials.

The community response has been forceful and persistent. On Monday night, protesters gathered outside a hotel where Bovino was believed to be staying, banging pots, blowing whistles, and demanding his departure. Demonstrations and vigils for Pretti and Good have become a near-daily occurrence, with residents expressing both fear and determination. “A lot of people aren’t able to work right now, they aren’t able to leave their house, they’re afraid,” said George Cordero, a resident of St. Paul, as quoted by BBC. Carol Engelheart, a retired nurse from Minneapolis, voiced the broader anxiety: “We need to care about this country, we need to care that we have a Constitution left, and if the people organize and the people stand up, we can do this.”

Political reactions have spanned the spectrum. Republican Senator Lindsey Graham called Trump’s decision to send Homan to Minneapolis “a very smart move,” suggesting it could help reset the administration’s approach. Senator John Curtis of Utah, also a Republican, insisted on a “transparent, independent investigation” into Pretti’s death and stated, “Those responsible—no matter their title—must be held accountable.” Minnesota House Speaker Lisa Demuth welcomed Homan’s arrival as an opportunity for a reset, while Democratic officials continue to press for a reduction in federal agents and independent oversight of the investigations.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that it is the president’s “hope and wish and demand for the resistance and chaos” in Minneapolis to end, but also clarified that Trump “has not characterized Mr. Pretti in that way” when asked about the domestic terrorist label used by some federal officials. She added that the president wants “the investigation to continue and let the facts lead in this case.”

As Minneapolis braces for the next phase in this ongoing saga, the departure of Bovino and the arrival of Homan may signal a new chapter—one that could either ease tensions or simply shift the battleground. With legal challenges mounting, community unrest unabated, and the eyes of the country fixed on Minnesota, the coming days will be critical in determining whether the administration’s new approach brings resolution or further conflict.

For now, the city waits—demanding answers, accountability, and above all, an end to the violence that has left so many shaken and searching for hope.