The White House is set to scale back the role of Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino in Minneapolis following the fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by federal immigration officers, a move seen as a possible shift in tone amid growing backlash.
As Bovino and some agents prepare to leave the city, President Donald Trump has directed border tsar Tom Homan to take charge of on-the-ground operations, while the Department of Homeland Security said the shooting occurred after agents acted in self-defence during an attempt to disarm Pretti, a claim disputed by eyewitnesses, local officials, and the victim’s family.
Tensions remain high in the city, where residents, rights groups, and political leaders have demanded accountability and an independent investigation into the incident, the second fatal shooting involving federal immigration officers in Minneapolis this year.
Minnesota Governor Tim Walz said President Trump had agreed to consider reducing the number of federal agents and to allow state authorities to conduct an independent probe, while the president said discussions with state and city leaders were positive and focused on targeting criminal offenders, as protests, vigils, and calls for transparency continue.