Trump Breaks Silence On Border Commander
President Donald Trump on Tuesday addressed questions surrounding Border Patrol commander Greg Bovino, pushing back on suggestions that Bovino’s departure from Minneapolis represented a retreat by the administration.
Speaking with Will Cain on Fox News during a visit to Iowa, President Trump characterized the move as a routine leadership adjustment rather than a pullback.
“I don’t think it’s a pullback. It’s a little bit of a change,” Trump said. “Anyone who’s run a business understands that sometimes you make small changes when situations evolve.”
Trump acknowledged Bovino’s experience and capabilities, describing him as “very good,” while also noting that his leadership style can be unconventional. In some circumstances, Trump said, that approach can be effective—but may not have been ideal given the tensions surrounding recent events in Minnesota.
The remarks come amid continued public reaction following the death of Alex Pretti, a U.S. citizen and ICU nurse, during a Border Patrol encounter in Minneapolis. The incident drew national attention after multiple videos began circulating online from different angles.
As the footage spread, Bovino became the focus of criticism from lawmakers across the political spectrum. Several members of Congress called for a full and transparent review, citing video that appeared to show Pretti being restrained during the encounter before shots were fired.
In a weekend interview with CNN, Bovino said Pretti posed a serious threat to law enforcement. However, video footage of the incident appears to show Pretti filming agents and attempting to assist a woman who had been pushed to the ground prior to the escalation. The video shows agents surrounding Pretti before the encounter turned fatal.
Other members of the administration also weighed in following the incident. White House Deputy Chief of Staff Stephen Miller described Pretti as a “would-be assassin” in a post on X that was later amplified by Vice President JD Vance.
On Monday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasized that President Trump was not focused on online commentary, stating instead that the administration supports a full review of the incident based on verified facts.
When asked in Iowa about statements made by other officials, President Trump said he was not aware of those remarks and reiterated that his priority is ensuring accountability through proper review rather than reacting to public speculation.
