Trump calls Gregory Bovino an ‘out there kind of guy’ after pulling him out of Minnesota

URBANDALE, IOWA: President Donald Trump appeared to distance himself from Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino, calling him an “out there kind of a guy” on Tuesday, January 27, while speaking with Fox News’ Will Cain from Iowa. 

The remarks came a day after reports said Bovino was expected to be shifted back to El Centro, California, to resume his duties there. The move was reportedly taken following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti on January 24 by a Border Patrol agent, which fueled further unrest in Minnesota.

The state had already been under strain amid an ICE crackdown and the killing of Renee Good by a federal agent on January 7.

Trump downplays Gregory Bovino role change

When Cain asked, “Is this a pullback?” regarding Gregory Bovino, Trump replied, “I don’t think it’s a pullback. It’s a little bit of a change.”

“Everybody in this room that has a business, you know, you make little changes. You know, Bovino is very good, but he’s a pretty out there kind of a guy. And in some cases that’s good. Maybe it wasn’t good here,” the 79-year-old added.

Trump calls anti-ICE protestors 'paid insurrectionists'

Later in the interview, Trump criticized former President Joe Biden’s border policies and described Minneapolis protesters as “paid insurrectionists.”

He told Cain, “You have to understand, when I watch some of the people that I’ve been watching over the last few weeks, these are paid insurrectionists. These are agitators."

The POTUS then questioned the protesters’ intentions, adding, “How do you get incensed when you go into a state and you’re taking criminals out? You’re taking monsters out, murderers.”

“You know, we had 11,888 murderers let into our country by other countries, by Biden with his open border stupid policy. It’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. You talk about bad policy,” Trump asserted.

Tom Homan to lead ICE operations in Minnesota

Meanwhile, following Bovino’s departure from Minnesota, White House border czar Tom Homan, 64, is reportedly set to lead ICE operations in the state.

According to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt, Homan would be the “main point of contact on the ground in Minneapolis.” She also referenced Bovino, calling him “a wonderful man, and he’s a great professional. He is going to very much continue to lead Customs and Border Patrol throughout and across the country.”

Additionally, DHS spokeswoman Tricia McLaughlin posted on X, “Chief Gregory Bovino has NOT been relieved of his duties. As @PressSec stated from the White House podium, @CMDROpAtLargeCA is a key part of the President’s team and a great American.”