Minneapolis withdrawal called ‘surrender’ by Trump’s former border patrol chief

Bovino defends Minneapolis operation

Bovino, 56, became the public face of the controversial deportation drive in Minneapolis. Speaking in Detroit while campaigning for tougher immigration enforcement, he said the administration “threw the towel in” and described the withdrawal as a “surrender.” He said deportations had reached a “virtual standstill” and called his agents the “real victims” of what he described as unprecedented violence against law enforcement. Bovino said people must follow the law or face consequences.

Lawsuits follow Renee Good’s death

The lawyers said they looked forward to depositions of Bovino and the other defendants. Good and Alex Pretti, both US citizens, were fatally shot in January.

Agents leave as leadership changes

The withdrawal from Minnesota involved about 700 immigration agents leaving the state. Bovino was removed from his role, and the operation was taken over by White House border tsar Tom Homan.

Bovino urges broader enforcement

Bovino has called for “total spectrum immigration enforcement” backed by the US military. He described a range of transport, including ships, cars, planes and trains, carrying people out of the United States.

He recently spoke at a Michigan rally by activists seeking the deportation of Democratic Senate candidate Abdul El-Sayed. Bovino has also said he is exploring a possible presidential run in 2028. American-born Sayed would become the Senate’s first Muslim member if he defeats Republican Mike Rogers.