Greg Bovino Rips Into Border Chief – Shows No Remorse in Final Interview
Gregory Bovino, once dubbed the “commander-at-large” of the U.S. Border Patrol, shared his thoughts in a recent interview as he prepares to retire from federal service, revealing a palpable bitterness regarding his exit.
His removal in January followed a tragic incident in Minneapolis where federal agents fatally shot American citizens Renee Good and Alex Pretti. Bovino returned to his previous role as a sector chief in California after the fallout.
In the interview, Bovino expressed dissatisfaction with the “softer touch” that has characterized the Trump administration's approach since his departure. Reflecting on his tenure, he stated, “I wish I’d caught even more illegal aliens.”
“We went as hard as we could, but there’s always a creative and innovative solution to catching even more,” he elaborated, indicating a relentless pursuit of enforcement.
Interestingly, Bovino did not seem to acknowledge any overreach in his methods. Instead, he implied that his efforts fell short of what was necessary. “We wanted total border domination,” he asserted. “I want you to dominate that border. I’m not going to ‘control’ it. We’re going to dominate the hell out of that damn place.”
He also stood by his controversial assertion that Pretti had intended to “massacre law enforcement,” showing no signs of regret.
Bovino took aim at Tom Homan, the current border czar, suggesting that allegations of a $50,000 bribe were indicative of a larger issue. “You’re not going to see me talking to anyone for a bag of money,” he remarked, distancing himself from such practices.
He acknowledged having “spirited” discussions with Stephen Miller, a key White House adviser shaping Trump’s immigration policy. Without naming specific individuals, he criticized his superiors as “status quo” bureaucrats who dismissed his aggressive “turn and burn” tactics for rapid immigration arrests.
As he steps down this week amid significant backlash over his harsh enforcement strategies in cities like Minneapolis and Los Angeles, Bovino faces scrutiny. Reports from within the Department of Homeland Security indicate that some agents formally complained about being directed to engage in racial profiling and use munitions against nonviolent individuals. Bovino claimed ignorance regarding any formal complaints lodged against him.
