A major change is underway in Minneapolis after violent incidents involving Border Patrol and other federal agents. Senior Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino is expected to leave the city as soon as Tuesday.
Intense Federal Shakeup After Minneapolis Shootings
Bovino has been one of the most visible figures in the Border Patrol-led federal effort called Operation Metro Surge. This is a large immigration enforcement deployment ordered by President Donald Trump late last year. The operation sent thousands of agents from Border Patrol, ICE, and other federal agencies to Minneapolis. It also sparked protests and legal challenges across the country. Local officials and civil rights advocates have sharply criticized the effort.
President Trump has announced that he is sending Tom Homan to Minnesota. Homan is a former acting director of Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the president’s appointed border czar. He will take command of the federal immigration work in the state. The White House said Homan will report directly to the president. He will oversee ongoing operations involving Border Patrol. He will also coordinate with local leaders and law enforcement.
This move marks a significant shift in Border Patrol leadership on the ground. It comes amid growing national attention on federal tactics. That attention has followed fatal shootings in Minneapolis. Those shootings have stirred public outrage.
Why This Federal Shakeup Is Happening
The leadership change follows two deadly encounters between federal immigration agents and civilians in Minneapolis. On January 24, 2026, 37-year-old ICU nurse Alex Pretti was shot and killed during an enforcement operation. Videos and witness accounts later challenged the official version of events and sparked nationwide protests.
Earlier in January, another Minneapolis resident, Renée Good, was also killed by an ICE agent. The two incidents have increased scrutiny of federal immigration enforcement and raised questions about how force is used and how agents are supervised.
Minneapolis videos raise questions about use of force in federal immigration shooting
The deaths have prompted local leaders in Minnesota to demand transparency and accountability from federal agencies. Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz have both called for federal agents to pull back and for investigations into the shootings, citing concerns about civil rights and public safety.
The situation has also drawn attention in Washington, D.C., where lawmakers from both political parties have urged investigations into the actions of Border Patrol and discussions about the federal response. A federal judge is currently hearing arguments on whether to pause federal enforcement actions in Minnesota, and congressional debates about Department of Homeland Security funding have been influenced by the events.
What Officials Are Saying and What’s Changing Inside Border Patrol
According to sources cited by major news outlets, Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino is expected to leave Minneapolis as early as Tuesday. Some of his Border Patrol agents are also expected to depart. Bovino has faced criticism for how he handled the Border Patrol deployment. He has also been criticized for his public statements after the shootings. That includes his explanation of what happened during the fatal encounter involving Alex Pretti.
Many analysts see his departure as a sign that federal immigration enforcement is being managed differently in Minnesota. They especially point to changes in Border Patrol operations. Some reports said Bovino might return to another post. The Department of Homeland Security has said he has not been formally removed from his wider leadership role.
President Donald Trump’s decision to send Tom Homan to Minnesota is seen as an effort to change leadership over Border Patrol operations. Homan is a long-time immigration official. He also once served as acting director of ICE and is known for a hardline approach. The White House said Homan will work closely with local officials. He will oversee Border Patrol and ICE activity in the state.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said Homan will serve as the main point of contact on the ground. This is even as some federal agents begin to leave.
Minnesota leaders have responded cautiously. Governor Tim Walz said his talk with Trump was productive and included discussion about reducing the number of Border Patrol agents. Mayor Jacob Frey confirmed that some agents will leave. He also said the city will continue to press for accountability and transparency.
