Trump border aide allegedly made offensive comments about Jewish official
- - Trump border aide allegedly made offensive comments about Jewish official
Kate Perez, USA TODAY February 2, 2026 at 1:37 AM
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Trump border aide allegedly made offensive comments about Jewish official
Border Patrol commander Gregory Bovino, a top aide in President Donald Trump's nationwide immigration enforcement operations, is once again under fire after he allegedly made offensive comments about a Jewish official in Minnesota, the New York Times and CBS News reported.
Unidentified sources told the outlets that Bovino allegedly made the comments on a Jan. 12 call with other federal officials to discuss recent U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement action in Minneapolis.
Bovino reportedly made the remarks after learning that Minnesota U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen, an Orthodox Jew, could not attend the call because he was observing the Sabbath, or Shabbat. The tradition requires rest from Friday at sunset to Saturday at sunset. Bovino reportedly was frustrated by Rosen's absence, allegedly asking if "Orthodox criminals" take Saturdays off and using the phrase "chosen people" in a belittling way.
The Department of Homeland Security did not immediately respond to USA TODAY's request for comment.
Gregory Bovino speaks during a news conference at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal on Jan. 25, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minn. The news conference comes after 37-year-old legal observer Alex Pretti was fatally shot during a confrontation with federal agents. The Trump administration has sent a reported 3,000 federal agents into the area, with more on the way, as they make a push to arrest undocumented immigrants in the region.
" style=padding-bottom:56%>U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Commander at Large Gregory Bovino speaks during a news conference at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal on Jan. 25, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minn. The news conference comes after 37-year-old legal observer Alex Pretti was fatally shot during a confrontation with federal agents. The Trump administration has sent a reported 3,000 federal agents into the area, with more on the way, as they make a push to arrest undocumented immigrants in the region.
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U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Commander at Large Gregory Bovino speaks during a news conference at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal on Jan. 25, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minn. The news conference comes after 37-year-old legal observer Alex Pretti was fatally shot during a confrontation with federal agents. The Trump administration has sent a reported 3,000 federal agents into the area, with more on the way, as they make a push to arrest undocumented immigrants in the region.
">U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Commander at Large Gregory Bovino speaks during a news conference at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal on Jan. 25, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minn. The news conference comes after 37-year-old legal observer Alex Pretti was fatally shot during a confrontation with federal agents. The Trump administration has sent a reported 3,000 federal agents into the area, with more on the way, as they make a push to arrest undocumented immigrants in the region.
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1 / 22US Border Patrol Chief Bovino under fire after Minneapolis deaths
U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Commander at Large Gregory Bovino speaks during a news conference at the Bishop Henry Whipple Federal on Jan. 25, 2026 in Minneapolis, Minn. The news conference comes after 37-year-old legal observer Alex Pretti was fatally shot during a confrontation with federal agents. The Trump administration has sent a reported 3,000 federal agents into the area, with more on the way, as they make a push to arrest undocumented immigrants in the region.
Bovino's alleged statements come as the federal official has faced increasing pressure and criticism from many Americans and lawmakers, most recently for immigration action in Minneapolis that has turned deadly.
Five days before the call, ICE agent Jonathan Ross fatally shot 37-year-old mother of three Renee Nicole Good. A little over two weeks later, federal agents shot and killed ICU nurse Alex Pretti. An internal investigation found that two border officers fired their guns during the incident.
The Trump administration's immigration action in Minneapolis has drawn criticism that has grown steadily stronger as tensions and clashes increased between federal officials and protestors.
Demonstrations have spread across the United States, with large protests recently taking place on Saturday, Jan. 31. Federal officials say the thousands of immigration officers deployed to Minnesota are a critical part of the Trump administration's deportation crackdown.
Multiple publications reported last week that Bovino was set to leave Minneapolis following the fatal shootings of Good and Pretti. The White House announced that border czar Tom Homan was being sent to the state as the Trump administration’s new point person for immigration enforcement operations.
More: White House slides into damage control over Minneapolis ICE operation
However, Bovino's permanent future remains unclear. Reuters reported that Bovino has been removed from his role as Border Patrol "commander at large" and will return to his former job as a chief patrol agent along California's El Centro sector of the U.S.-Mexico border.
Still, Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin denied reports that Bovino was being removed from his assignment, saying in a previous statement to USA TODAY: "Chief Gregory Bovino has NOT been relieved of his duties."
As of the afternoon of Feb. 1, Bovino's X account described him as "Commander Op At Large CA" and set his location as Los Angeles. Bovino's Instagram account's biography reads "USBP Chief Patrol Agent - Commander of Operation At Large in California." Los Angeles saw protesters clash with federal officials on Friday, Jan. 30 as other protests took place across the country.
Anti-discrimination group, lawmaker condemn Bovino's alleged comments
Anti-Defamation League CEO Jonathan Greenblatt in a post on X called Bovino's alleged comments "disgraceful" and an "antisemitic mockery" of Rosen and his faith.
I just finished observing Shabbat and appalled to read about the antisemitic mockery of U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen — his Jewish faith, his Shabbat observance — by DHS official Greg Bovino is disgraceful. The fact that Bovino felt comfortable expressing these views on a call with…
— Jonathan Greenblatt (@JGreenblattADL) February 1, 2026
"The fact that Bovino felt comfortable expressing these views on a call with multiple prosecutors speaks volumes," Greenblatt wrote. "Orthodox Jews are the most vulnerable segment of our community and need support, not slander, from DHS."
More: Border Patrol chief calls agents the 'victims' in Pretti shooting
U.S. Sen. Jacky Rosen, D-Nevada, also responded to Bovino's alleged comments, calling them antisemitic in an X post.
Gregory Bovino has already proven himself unfit to serve in ANY position of power, and his antisemitic comments are further proof that he should be fired ASAP. https://t.co/RLG0zHpdR7
— Senator Jacky Rosen (@SenJackyRosen) January 31, 2026
"Gregory Bovino has already proven himself unfit to serve in ANY position of power, and his antisemitic comments are further proof that he should be fired ASAP," she wrote.
USA TODAY's Fernando Cervantes Jr., James Powel, Trevor Hughes, Michael Loria, and Terry Collins contributed to this report.
Kate Perez covers national trends and breaking news for USA TODAY. You can reach her at [email protected] or on X @katecperez_.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Gregory Bovino allegedly made offensive comments about Jewish official
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