Border Patrol Chief Gregory Bovino to Retire Amid Controversy
Reports say Bovino will retire at month's end and told Breitbart he'd retire at the end of March; DHS said no retirement paperwork has been submitted.
CBS NewsBorder Patrol official Gregory Bovino to retire from federal service, sources say
Chicago Sun-TimesPritzker taunts Bovino amid reports of Border Patrol chief’s retirement: 'No one is above the law'
BBC NewsTrump border patrol chief Greg Bovino to retire
RedStateGreg Bovino, Who Became the Face of the Minneapolis ICE Raids, Stepping Down After 30-Year Career
Overview
Multiple outlets report that U.S. Border Patrol chief Gregory Bovino will retire at the end of the month, and Bovino told Breitbart he would retire at the end of March.
His reported departure follows his January removal from a national commander role after the deaths of Renee Good on Jan. 7 and Alex Pretti on Jan. 24 during Minneapolis operations.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said Bovino "won't just get to walk away" and vowed he will be held accountable, according to Pritzker's post on X.
Bovino joined Customs and Border Patrol in 1996 and led high-profile operations in Los Angeles, Chicago, Charlotte, New Orleans and Minneapolis that prompted lawsuits, protests and judicial restrictions on use of force.
A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson said Bovino has not submitted retirement paperwork, and officials said alleged or potential misconduct is referred for investigation and agencies cooperate fully.
Analysis
Center-leaning sources frame the retirement as part of a controversial tenure, highlighting clashes and criticism over operational tactics. They foreground language like "immigration crackdown" and "mass deportations," prioritize reports of the Minnesota shootings and alleged offensive remarks, balance Bovino's Breitbart praise with DHS and CBS pushback, emphasizing accountability over a simple personnel change.
FAQ
Bovino was removed in late January 2026 after federal agents under his command fatally shot U.S. citizens Renee Good on January 7 and Alex Pretti on January 24 during immigration operations in Minneapolis.[1]
Bovino led operations in Los Angeles, Chicago, Charlotte, New Orleans, and Minneapolis, sparking protests, lawsuits, judicial restrictions, and criticism for heavy-handed tactics like stopping people based on accents.[1]
No, the Department of Homeland Security stated that Bovino has not submitted any retirement paperwork, despite sources saying he informed colleagues of his plan to retire at the end of March.
Bovino's replacement has not been announced. His retirement coincides with President Trump's appointment of Sen. Markwayne Mullin to replace Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, who supported Bovino's tactics.
Governor JB Pritzker stated that Bovino 'won't just get to walk away' and vowed he will be held accountable, emphasizing no one is above the law.[3]
