Trump Sends Tom Homan to Minneapolis and Removes Border Chief After Internal Crisis

Key Leadership Shift in Minneapolis with the Arrival of Tom Homan

Homan Takes Control of Immigration Operations

Internal Tensions Persist

According to CNN, the federal government’s immigration offensive in Minneapolis is entering a new phase.

Gregory Bovino, a senior official with the U.S. Border Patrol, and some of his agents are expected to leave the city this Tuesday, according to sources familiar with the discussions.

The departure comes as President Donald Trump announced the deployment of White House border czar Tom Homan to Minnesota, a move that reflects internal tensions within the administration.

The shift also follows a change in tone from the president toward Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, after a phone call in which Trump said they were “on a similar wavelength.”

What Is Happening in Minnesota with Tom Homan’s Arrival

The White House indicated that Tom Homan will oversee Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) operations in Minnesota.

While it remains unclear how Bovino’s role will change in the long term, his immediate exit from Minneapolis removes a key figure from the state’s immigration strategy.

One official described Bovino’s departure as a “mutual decision.”

Some Border Patrol agents will remain in the city, according to sources.

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CNN contacted the Department of Homeland Security, which oversees the Border Patrol, for comment.

The move comes after Saturday’s fatal shooting in which U.S. citizen Alex Pretti was killed, an incident that intensified scrutiny of the federal response.

The White House said Homan is expected to serve as the main on-the-ground point of contact in Minneapolis.

Tensions Within the Administration

Tom Homan in Minneapolis to control immigration – PHOTO: SHUTTERSTOCK

The announcement of Homan’s deployment has been met with relief by some Homeland Security officials.

These officials had anticipated his involvement due to his extensive experience in federal law enforcement.

Bovino’s enforcement style had the backing of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem.

Homan, while publicly aligned with the Trump administration, has taken a different approach, focusing on public safety and national security threats.

That approach also includes so-called “collateral” arrests—undocumented immigrants encountered near a specific operation.

This method contrasts with the broader raids carried out in multiple cities nationwide.

According to U.S. officials, Homan and Noem have not spoken in recent months, reflecting internal power struggles within the government.

In a post on Monday, Noem described Homan’s visit as “good news” and highlighted his experience in fraud investigations and public safety in Minneapolis.

After the announcement, a White House official emphasized that Noem still has Trump’s confidence.

Why It Matters

Administration officials were reportedly deeply frustrated with how Bovino and Noem handled the aftermath of the fatal shooting.

According to one official, Trump spent hours watching media coverage and was unhappy with how his administration was being portrayed.

Criticism intensified after Bovino said Pretti intended to “massacre” federal agents, remarks that failed to calm the controversy.

Senior officials began discussing the possibility of removing Bovino from Minnesota as early as Sunday afternoon.

The situation worsened when Noem labeled Pretti a “domestic terrorist” and accused him of brandishing a legally owned firearm—claims not supported by video evidence.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt distanced the administration from that label, saying it was not a position personally adopted by Trump.

Bovino, with nearly three decades in the Border Patrol, had been tasked with leading highly visible federal deployments in cities such as Los Angeles, Chicago, and New Orleans.

In those cities, his aggressive tactics drew criticism from local officials and fueled tensions within the administration itself.

His departure from Minneapolis marks a turning point in that strategy and reinforces Homan’s role as a central figure in the state’s immigration agenda.