Tom Homan Orders Border Patrol Pullout From Minneapolis in Major Reset

A sudden federal reset follows a deadly protest, internal White House tensions, and mounting backlash over aggressive immigration enforcement tactics
Tom Homan Orders Border Patrol Pullout From Minneapolis in Major Reset
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In a dramatic reset aimed at cooling tensions, Border Czar Tom Homan has ordered Border Patrol leadership and hundreds of agents to withdraw from Minneapolis, marking a sweeping shake-up in the federal response following a violent weekend of protests.

The move comes after the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, during clashes between protesters and federal agents on Saturday. With national attention intensifying and public scrutiny mounting, President Donald Trump stepped in Monday by sidelining Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem and dispatching Homan—a longtime ICE veteran and trusted ally—to take direct control of the deteriorating situation in Minnesota.

At the center of the shake-up is Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino, whose departure from Minneapolis is expected to be formally announced by Homan at a press conference later today. Bovino, a highly visible and polarizing figure in recent immigration crackdowns, has been ordered out alongside hundreds of agents as part of an effort to de-escalate violence and restore calm.

Administration officials say frustration in the White House boiled over after Bovino publicly claimed that Pretti intended to “massacre” federal agents—remarks that sharply conflicted with how the incident was being portrayed across cable news. President Trump reportedly spent hours watching coverage over the weekend and was unsettled by the optics, according to one official.

Tensions escalated further when Secretary Noem labeled Pretti a “domestic terrorist” and alleged he had brandished a firearm. On Monday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt moved to distance the President from that language, emphasizing that it did not reflect Trump’s position.

Bovino, a 30-year Border Patrol veteran, has built a reputation as the hard-edged face of the administration’s immigration enforcement. His leadership of highly publicized operations—from gas stations and Home Depots to city streets in Los Angeles, Chicago, Charlotte, and Minneapolis—has drawn fierce criticism from local officials, civil rights advocates, and congressional Democrats.

Known for his unmistakable look—often unmasked, with a severe buzzcut and trench coat—Bovino has gone viral repeatedly, attracting both supporters and critics. His style has sparked international commentary and sharp rebukes from figures like California Governor Gavin Newsom, while Bovino himself has dismissed the backlash as overblown theatrics.

Supporters within DHS once praised his aggressive tactics, with one spokesperson memorably saying he was chosen to lead because “he’s a badass.” But that strongman image has also brought legal and ethical scrutiny. In November, a federal judge accused Bovino of being evasive—and at times untruthful—under oath regarding an immigration operation in Chicago, citing testimony that was “simply not credible.”

Bovino’s removal underscores a broader shift in power dynamics within the administration. Once closely aligned with Noem and her inner circle, he had been quietly promoted as a potential future Border Patrol chief—an effort that now appears stalled as Homan and his longtime allies move to reassert control on the ground.

As Minneapolis braces for the next chapter, the administration is signaling a clear change in tone: fewer flashpoints, less theatrics, and a renewed focus on stabilizing a city pushed to the brink. All eyes now turn to Homan’s press conference—and to whether this reset will succeed in dialing down a crisis that has captured the nation’s attention.

January 26, 2026

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