President Donald Trump acknowledged Tuesday that federal leadership changes were underway in the ongoing immigration enforcement operation in Minneapolis, signaling a shift in approach following controversy and public scrutiny in the wake of the “very unfortunate” fatal shooting of Alex Pretti.
Speaking to Fox News’ Will Cain during an event in Iowa, Trump discussed adjustments to the administration’s team overseeing operations in Minnesota. He said that Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino, a senior figure in the federal response, is “very good,” but that his style may not have been the best fit for the volatile environment in Minneapolis.
“Is this a pullback?” Cain asked Trump.
“I don’t think it’s a pullback. It’s a little bit of a change. Everybody in this room that has a business, you know, you make little changes. You know, Bovino is very good, but he’s a pretty out there kind of a guy. And in some cases that’s good. Maybe it wasn’t good here,” Trump said.
Trump stressed that personnel changes are a normal part of managing complex operations and said adjustments should be seen as refinements rather than a retreat from enforcement.
The president’s remarks appeared to foreshadow the decision to send White House Border Czar Tom Homan to take a leading role in overseeing federal immigration enforcement and coordination with state and local officials. The move has been interpreted by administration officials as an effort to strengthen tactical execution and improve messaging after weeks of protests and criticism surrounding the Pretti shooting.
The president criticized former President Joe Biden’s border policies and dismissed protesters in Minneapolis as “paid insurrectionists.”
“You have to understand when I watch some of the people that I’ve been watching over the last few weeks, these are paid insurrectionists. These are agitators,” he said.
FBI Director Kash Patel said earlier this week that investigators have identified unnamed organizations that are allegedly funding the protests.
Trump told Cain he could not understand protesters in Minnesota because he believes federal agents are only targeting “criminals.”
“How do you get incensed when you go into a state and you’re taking criminals out? You’re taking monsters out, murderers. You know, we had 11,888 murderers let into our country by other countries, by Biden with his open border stupid policy. It’s the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. You talk about bad policy,” he said.
Pretti, a 37-year-old Minneapolis resident, was shot and killed by Border Patrol agents during a federal immigration enforcement action last week. The incident triggered protests, widespread media attention, and political debate over the presence and conduct of federal agents in the city.
Earlier this month, another resident of the city, Renee Good, was shot and killed by an ICE agent after she refused to exit her SUV and appeared to strike the agent with the vehicle as she appeared to flee.
Trump also used his Iowa appearance to criticize protest activity in Minneapolis, reiterating that federal agents are focused on targeting criminal activity rather than peaceful assemblies.
The president’s comments reflect continued efforts by the White House to recalibrate its public positioning after sustained criticism from local and national political figures, including Minnesota officials who have called for reductions in federal enforcement activity. Trump insisted that changes in leadership and strategy are intended to improve operational effectiveness and avoid missteps, not to abandon the broader mission.
The shift in personnel comes as lawmakers from both parties weigh in on federal actions in Minneapolis. Some Republican lawmakers have praised the decision to retool the response and emphasize law enforcement authority, while several Democratic officials continue to call for investigations and restrictions on federal activities.
As the federal investigation into the Pretti shooting continues, the administration faces ongoing pressure to balance enforcement priorities with public safety concerns and political opposition.
Trump also told reporters outside the White House on Tuesday that Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem was not stepping down.