The Atlantic reported Monday that Greg Bovino, U.S. Border Patrol’s “commander at large,” had been ousted from that elevated position and will soon retire.
The report, which cited a Department of Homeland Security official and two others familiar with the shakeup, followed news that Bovino was leaving Minneapolis as anger swelled over federal agents fatally shooting another American. Without any evidence, Bovino claimed it appeared the victim, 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti, “wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement.”
CNN reported that DHS had suspended Bovino’s access to his official social media accounts, effective immediately.
When asked for comment about the reported retirement plans, DHS assistant secretary Tricia McLaughlin would only tell JS that Bovino had “NOT been relieved of his duties” and that he remained a “key part of the President’s team and a great American.” McLaughlin posted the same statement on social media after The Atlantic report dropped.
The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Sources also told The Atlantic that DHS Secretary Kristi Noem — who elevated Bovino from his position running Border Patrol’s sector in El Centro, Calif. — and her adviser Corey Lewandowski were both on the chopping block.
