Bovino’s Future Uncertain as White House Retracts Initial Statements on Alex Pretti – US Politics Live | US News
Bovino to Depart Minneapolis as White House Retracts Initial Claims About Alex Pretti
Hello and welcome to our live coverage.
Gregory Bovino, commander of the Border Patrol, is set to leave Minneapolis today following the recent fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, marking the second civilian death in this month allegedly involving federal immigration agents.
Bovino, a staunch advocate of Donald Trump’s deportation policies, has become the focal point of the administration’s immigration strategy in Minnesota, drawing sharp criticism from Democrats and civil liberties advocates.
An unnamed source has indicated that Bovino was stripped of his title as “commander at large” of the Border Patrol, although the Department of Homeland Security has refuted these claims. “Chief Gregory Bovino has NOT been relieved of his duties,” stated spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin, referencing earlier remarks by White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, who lauded Bovino as a “key part of the president’s team and a great American.”
Leavitt’s Monday briefing included a retraction of initial statements from high-ranking officials regarding Pretti. Stephen Miller, deputy chief of staff, had labeled the victim “a domestic terrorist who attempted to assassinate law enforcement,” while Kristi Noem, homeland security secretary, accused him of exemplifying “the definition of domestic terrorism.” However, these assertions have been challenged by video evidence depicting Pretti being shot multiple times in the back after being subdued by Border Patrol agents, from whom he had been filming and was previously disarmed.
On Monday, Trump remarked on having a “very good call” with Tim Walz, the Minnesota governor, whom he had previously blamed for Pretti’s death. Walz indicated on social media that the conversation was “productive,” and Trump expressed willingness to consider pulling federal agents from the state and discussed letting the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension conduct an independent inquiry into the federal agents’ shootings, including an earlier incident this month that resulted in the death of Renee Nicole Good, a 37-year-old mother of three.
More updates are forthcoming.
Decision Not to Escalate: White House Stays Quiet Amid Backlash
What Karoline Leavitt, the White House press secretary, omitted on Monday is arguably more significant than what she addressed.
When Leavitt approached the podium for the briefing concerning the deadly incident involving Alex Pretti, she refrained from engaging in the victim-blaming rhetoric that has frequently characterized Donald Trump’s administration.
Instead, she referred to Pretti’s death as a “tragedy,” indicating that the U.S. president desired to allow the investigation to proceed unimpeded, also notably refusing to endorse adviser Stephen Miller’s derogatory characterization of Pretti as a “would-be assassin.”
The Implications of Trump’s Immigration Policy on Civic Engagement
As the federal immigration crackdown intensifies in Minnesota, President Donald Trump is set to travel to Iowa today to bolster political support amid rising concerns regarding slumping crop prices. Iowa, known as the leading producer of corn, hogs, and ethanol, remains crucial to Trump’s rural political coalition.
Lance Lillibridge, a local corn and cattle farmer, conveyed to the press that while he generally supports Trump, he and fellow farmers are feeling the adverse effects of the trade war with China as well as increasing costs for seeds and fertilizer. “Currently, everything is just terrible. I’ve never been so cash-strapped in my life,” Lillibridge remarked, voicing hopes for another multibillion-dollar farm bailout.
The Rise and Fall of Gregory Bovino: A Controversial Figure in U.S. Immigration Policy
Critics have derided Bovino as a potential authoritarian figure, yet with Trump’s anti-immigrant surge in Minneapolis, Gregory Bovino appeared to find the political moment he had long sought. A senior figure in the US Border Patrol, Bovino initially gained recognition during immigration enforcement operations in cities like Los Angeles and Chicago.
However, his brazen comments in response to the shooting of Alex Pretti propelled him into a level of notoriety that began to exceed even Trump’s tolerance. Following intense scrutiny and public backlash against Pretti’s death, Bovino found himself an early casualty in the administration’s attempts to adjust its approach.
