Minneapolis withdrawal was 'surrender', Trump's ex-border patrol chief tells BBC

October 24, 2026

Greg Bovino, the former US border patrol chief who led a controversial deportation operation in Minneapolis, has publicly defended the mission and characterized the administration's decision to pull agents from the city as a "surrender. " Bovino was removed from his position following the fatal shootings of two US citizens, Renee Good and Alex Pretti, during the January operation, which sparked bipartisan criticism and widespread protests. He dismissed a wrongful death lawsuit filed by Good's family and claimed his agents were victims of unprecedented violence, expressing regret for not conducting more arrests.

Who is affected

Renee Good and Alex Pretti (US citizens killed during the operation)
Good's family (filing civil lawsuits)
Immigration agents deployed to Minneapolis
Greg Bovino (removed from his role as border patrol chief)
Jonathan Ross (the agent who shot Good, named in lawsuit)
Kristi Noem (former Homeland Security secretary, fired by Trump in March)
Protesters in Minneapolis
Approximately 700 immigration agents withdrawn from Minnesota
Trump administration officials named in the lawsuits

What action is being taken

Good's family filed two civil lawsuits against the Trump administration alleging wrongful death and conspiracy to interfere with civil rights
Bovino is campaigning in Detroit for tougher immigration enforcement
The family's legal team is preparing for depositions of Bovino and other defendants

Why it matters

This incident represents a significant controversy involving federal immigration enforcement that resulted in the deaths of US citizens and triggered bipartisan backlash. The operation and its aftermath raise critical questions about the use of force by immigration agents, accountability in federal law enforcement operations, and the balance between immigration enforcement and civil rights protections. The legal action and ongoing debate highlight tensions between aggressive immigration enforcement policies and their real-world consequences, potentially setting precedents for how such operations are conducted in the future.

What's next

The family's legal team will conduct depositions of Bovino and all defendants in the lawsuits
Legal proceedings will continue regarding the wrongful death and civil rights conspiracy allegations

Read full article from source: BBC