Border Patrol Commander, ‘Some’ Agents To Exit MN After Alex Pretti Shooting: Reports

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino and "some" of the federal agents under his command are being pulled out of Minnesota in the aftermath of Saturday’s fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, according to multiple reports.

Bovino had become the most visible face of the Trump administration’s immigration enforcement surge in the state, but according to CNN, administration officials grew increasingly frustrated with his public handling of the fallout, particularly statements suggesting Pretti intended to carry out a mass attack on law enforcement.

Sources told CNN those appearances compounded political damage rather than containing it, prompting internal discussions about removing Bovino from the Minneapolis operation.

The Wall Street Journal reports that Bovino’s departure is part of a broader reassessment by the White House as legal challenges and public protests escalate.

Trump open to de-escalation after Pretti's killing

President Donald Trump on Monday indicated he is open to reducing the federal footprint in Minnesota and has tapped border czar Tom Homan to serve as the administration’s primary point person on the ground.

Trump praised a phone call with Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz, saying the two leaders were "on a similar wavelength" and shared a desire to work together on issues facing the state.

In a social media post, Trump said Walz had called him “with the request to work together with respect to Minnesota,” describing the conversation as “very good.”

"The Governor, very respectfully, understood that, and I will be speaking to him in the near future," Trump wrote. "He was happy that Tom Homan was going to Minnesota, and so am I!"

Trump said Tom Homan, the White House "border czar," would be in contact with Walz and reiterated that his administration is focused on addressing criminal activity, adding that both leaders "want to make it better."

Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Freya also said Monday he spoke directly with Trump and pressed for an end to Operation Metro Surge, calling the current federal presence unsustainable.

In a public statement, Frey said Trump agreed the situation "cannot continue" and confirmed that some federal agents will begin leaving the area Tuesday.

Frey said Minneapolis will continue cooperating with state and federal authorities on criminal investigations, but will not assist with what he described as unconstitutional arrests or the enforcement of federal immigration law.

The mayor said he plans to meet Tuesday with Homan to discuss next steps as the city continues pushing for a full end to the operation.

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