Border patrol head departs Minneapolis in Homeland Security shake-up

WASHINGTON (TNND) — Head of Border Patrol Greg Bovino is leaving Minneapolis following reports that President Donald Trump wasn’t pleased with how he and Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem handled the death of Alex Pretti by federal immigration enforcement agents.

Bovino’s departure from Minnesota comes as President Donald Trump announced that he would be sending border czar Tom Homan to oversee immigration enforcement operations in the state.

“Mr. Bovino is a wonderful man, and he’s a great professional,” White House press secretary Kristi Noem said during a press briefing.

“He is going to very much continue to lead Customs and Border Patrol throughout and across the country. Mr. Homan will be the main point of contact on the ground in Minneapolis.”

The decision comes following the fatal shooting of Pretti, 37.

CNN reported that a White House source shared that President Donald Trump was disappointed with how Noem had handled the situation with the media, adding that he was watching news coverage and was in contact with Noem all Saturday.

Sources shared with CNN that White House officials began talks to pull Bovino out on Sunday; although they said the decision for Bovino to leave was a “mutual decision.”

During a CNN interview Bovino said Pretti, who was armed, had intended to commit a “massacre” on federal agents. Noem had also made the statement that Pretti was brandishing his weapon, but video showed he was holding his phone. Noem also labeled Pretti a “domestic terrorist.”

The White House has distanced itself from Noem’s classification that Pretti was a domestic terrorist. Leavitt said this was not the position that Trump took of the situation.

Pretti is the second citizen shot to death following an interaction with federal law enforcement in the Minneapolis area.

Renee Good died from multiple gunshot wounds after an interaction with ICE officers earlier this month. Federal officials claimed she attempted to hit an officer with her car.

The National News Desk reached out to the Department of Homeland Security for comment.