When reports emerged that President Donald Trump's administration is demoting and reassigning Border Patrol enforcer Greg Bovino from his current role presiding over the crackdown in Minneapolis, the decision was largely met with sighs of relief from legal observers — but a howl of fury and frustration from MAGA voices.
Bovino's ignominious exit comes after a second high-profile killing by federal agents in the Twin Cities, this time of local nurse Alex Pretti after he tried to intervene as agents were assaulting a woman. A number of Republicans have expressed alarm at the justification from DHS that he was carrying a legally registered firearm, and several GOP lawmakers called for an investigation.
The reporting is at least partially disputed by the Department of Homeland Security, with Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin insisting Bovino "has NOT been relieved of his duties" and remains in his current position, even though he is leaving Minneapolis. Nonetheless, Republican influencers remain angry.
Many of the reactions, which accuse Trump of capitulating to a woke mob, were compiled by Paul E. Williams, the executive director of the Center for Public Enterprise.
"So Trump caves yet again," wrote the account "Washingtons ghost."
"...WHAT?!!!!!!!!" posted Matt Van Swol, a former liberal influencer who was radicalized by far-right disaster aid conspiracy theories in 2024. "Is this real? No way, please tell me it's not real." To which Nick Sortor, a fellow MAGA influencer who is known for getting into street brawls, replied, "It's real. The administration has sidelined Bovino. I urge them to reconsider immediately. We don't have time to play around."
"Why are they doing this!" raged another prominent GOP commentator, "Gunther Eagleman." "He was doing a great job. His support numbers were rising." Sortor replied, "Because Bovino was 'too harsh' on deportations, apparently. I disagree. I think he should've been HARSHER."