Gregory Bovino, a former Border Patrol commander who once led President Trump’s immigration enforcement operations, now alleges the administration wants him killed after removing his security detail following his departure from government service.
Explosive Interview Allegations
Bovino made the startling claim during a Wednesday interview with conservative podcaster Tucker Carlson that has drawn over two million views. When asked directly whether he believes the administration wants him dead, the 56-year-old former official responded without hesitation: “Absolutely.” He described facing constant threats from what he called “crazies” every time he ventures into his own community, claiming his security protection vanished the moment he left federal service despite an ongoing wave of death threats.
The former commander clarified that he does not hold President Trump personally responsible for the alleged threats. Instead, Bovino pointed to what he termed “hellacious gatekeepers” within the administration, specifically naming Border Czar Tom Homan as the source of his concerns about the withdrawn protection.
White House Fires Back
The White House swiftly rejected Bovino’s allegations as baseless. Spokesperson Lauren Bis called the claims “absurd” and defended Homan as “an American patriot and career law enforcement officer with decades of experience.” A Department of Homeland Security spokesperson explained that federal security details end automatically when officials leave government service, stating this is “not a matter of policy or discretion; it is the law.” The White House emphasized that Homan does not handle security decisions for current or former DHS personnel.
From Trusted Enforcer to Outcast
Bovino once stood at the forefront of Trump’s hardline immigration policies as commander-at-large, leading enforcement operations in Minnesota. His tactics included using tear gas against protesters, actions now facing legal examination. He departed his position in January after federal agents fatally shot two American citizens in Minnesota during immigration operations. Trump later distanced himself from Bovino, calling him “a pretty out there kind of guy” and advocating for a “softer touch” on immigration matters.
During the Carlson interview, Bovino also claimed without evidence that 105 million undocumented immigrants currently live in America—a figure that would represent nearly one in three Americans. Census data shows approximately 50 million total immigrants in the country, with an estimated 14 million lacking legal status as of 2023.
