Ex-Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino Locked Out of Social Media Accounts After Retaining Control

Three social media accounts linked to the Border Patrol's El Centro, California, region have been shut down by the Trump administration after former Chief Greg Bovino retained them for personal use, according to reports.

The accounts, which boasted a combined following of approximately 850,000 users, were reportedly taken offline after Bovino's refusal to return them. A spokesperson for Customs and Border Protection (CBP) confirmed, "Chief Patrol Agent Bovino has retired from federal service and no longer has access to official government social media accounts."

Since his departure, Bovino has faced significant scrutiny. He recently expressed that he has few regrets regarding his aggressive enforcement tactics. In an interview with a major publication, he defended the controversial strategies he implemented during a surge in immigration enforcement, labeling it as "total border domination."

His comments reflect a stark contrast to the softer approaches advocated by some within the government. "I'm not going to 'control' it," he stated emphatically. "We're going to dominate the hell out of that damn place."

Bovino's tenure was marked by high-profile operations in major cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and Minneapolis. These operations often involved the deployment of tear gas, large-scale raids, and responses to protests, which led to legal challenges and political backlash. Notably, two U.S. citizens lost their lives during enforcement actions in Minneapolis, prompting increased criticism and a reevaluation of the administration's tactics.

Reports indicate that Bovino chose to retire after being reassigned back to California amid multiple investigations into his conduct. One inquiry focuses on comments he allegedly made regarding a federal prosecutor's observance of Shabbat, while others scrutinize his use of force during protests, including an incident where he was filmed using tear gas against demonstrators.

Despite the controversies surrounding his methods, Bovino maintains that his "turn and burn" tactics—contrary to intelligence-led enforcement—were essential for maximizing arrests and deterring unlawful crossings. Over nearly three decades with the agency, he earned a reputation for pushing legal boundaries and prioritizing apprehension volume, a strategy that garnered both support from subordinates and criticism from peers.

Former officials have characterized him as a divisive figure whose confrontational approach and disregard for established protocols fostered internal discord. An analysis by an oversight organization revealed that his sector employed force more frequently relative to arrests compared to other areas within the agency.