Two ousted Trump administration officials dropped cryptic hints this weekend regarding their potential 2028 plans, leading many to speculate that the pair were gearing up for a bid for the White House.
The first hint was dropped by ousted Border Patrol chief Gregory Bovino, who on Saturday published a video showing him alongside ousted Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem after hunting pheasants.
“Had a fantastic day in South Dakota hunting with Chief Bovino,” Noem is heard saying in the video. “This is our native South Dakota bird, our state bird — chief, thank you for helping us kill our state bird today.”
Bovino, standing beside Noem and in front of the bodies of several slain pheasants resting atop a hay bale, quipped that “at least we didn’t have to deport them this time.”
“That is true,” Noem is heard saying. “You’re a good man and a great American.”
In his social media post sharing the video, Bovino tagged Democratic governors Gavin Newsom of California and J.B. Pritzker of Illinois — two leaders widely seen as potential 2028 contenders — giving more credence to the theory that the duo was gearing up for a run at the White House.
The Daily Beast contacted Bovino for comment and was explicitly asked if the two planned to run for office, to which Bovino responded: “We are running for America.”
Both Noem and Bovino were ousted from their roles in the Trump administration amid scrutiny for their roles in carrying out the administration’s mass deportations. President Donald Trump removed Noem as Homeland Security secretary in March following reports that she had misused government funds and resources. Bovino was ousted from his role as “commander at large” after his response to the killing of 37-year-old Alex Pretti by federal immigration officers.
Hunted pheasant today with Secretary Noem. Dream team still racking them up!! 🇺🇸 🇺🇸 @nicksortor @TonySeruga @AmericanHumane @CAgovernor @OldPatrolHQ @GovPritzker @BreannaMorello pic.twitter.com/QzPlMbuEKD
— Gregory K Bovino (@GregoryKBovino) September 26, 2026
