A senior US Border Patrol commander is expected to leave Minneapolis as the Trump administration moves into damage-control mode following days of unrest and mounting political fallout from deadly incidents involving federal agents.
Reports say Gregory Bovino, a top Border Patrol official who became the public face of the federal operation in Minneapolis, is set to depart with some agents as the White House looks to lower tensions and reset the tone of immigration enforcement in the city.
The shift follows intense backlash after the fatal shooting of ICU nurse Alex Pretti during an encounter linked to federal immigration enforcement, which triggered protests and renewed scrutiny of how federal teams are operating in major US cities. As criticism grew from Minnesota’s governor and Minneapolis’ mayor, the administration began signaling it would reduce the visible federal footprint and avoid tactics seen as escalating confrontations.
As part of the reset, Trump’s “border czar” Tom Homan has been tasked with taking a bigger role in managing the operation and rebuilding cooperation with local officials, according to reports describing internal discussions about a less aggressive posture.
Officials have also been weighing changes aimed at boosting accountability and reducing flashpoints, including a more targeted approach to enforcement actions and operational adjustments that could reduce the chance of violent clashes.
The developments highlight a broader challenge for the White House: keeping a hardline immigration agenda while containing political damage when enforcement actions spark public outrage, lawsuits, and street protests.