Ex-Border Chief Rips Trump Aides Over Deportation Slowdown
Former U.S. Border Patrol commander-at-large Greg Bovino has publicly accused senior Trump administration officials of attempting to “water down” mass deportation efforts, exposing deep internal divisions over the future of immigration enforcement. In a series of social media posts and a speech at a far-right conference in Portugal, Bovino specifically targeted White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles and top campaign manager Chris LaCivita for pushing to scale back operations, according to USA Today.
Background: Bovino’s Rise and Fall
Bovino emerged as one of the most prominent faces of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown, spearheading militarized enforcement operations including the high-profile “Operation Midway Blitz” in Chicago. His aggressive tactics — which included staging a raid using a Black Hawk helicopter and deploying chemical irritants against protesters — made him a polarizing figure celebrated by immigration hardliners and condemned by civil rights advocates.
His downfall began in January 2026, when two U.S. citizens were fatally shot by federal agents in Minneapolis during immigration enforcement operations. Renee Good, 37, was killed earlier in January while protesting the federal presence, followed by Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old nurse, on January 24. Bovino was reassigned from Minneapolis and subsequently retired from the Border Patrol in March 2026, as USA Today reported.
Bovino’s Public Criticism
On May 30, Bovino posted a video on X accusing Wiles of undermining the administration’s signature policy. “Trump’s team says immigration is his top issue according to the polls. Voters trust him on the border more than anyone. So why is @SusieWiles47 pushing to dial it back and water down mass deportations?” he wrote. “You don’t win by running away from your strongest issue. Mass deportations are the solution to perpetual victory!”
The following day, Bovino spoke at the far-right “Remigration Summit” in Porto, Portugal, where he also mocked newly confirmed Department of Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin. “Mullin’s a great guy, great plumber, no doubt about that; he could probably fix a leaky faucet,” Bovino said. “But a hundred million illegal aliens is not a leaky faucet.”
Evidence of a Slowdown?
Bovino’s criticism comes amid signs that the administration’s deportation machine may already be moderating. According to ICE data, immigration detention numbers fell by approximately 15% from an all-time high of 70,766 in January 2026 to 60,311 by early April 2026. The decline followed the controversial Minneapolis enforcement operation that resulted in two deaths and sparked widespread backlash.
The appointment of Mullin — a former Oklahoma senator with a background in business rather than immigration enforcement — as DHS Secretary in March may also signal a shift toward more managerial leadership, replacing the confrontational approach epitomized by Bovino and former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem.
The Delaney Hall Flashpoint
Bovino explicitly linked the administration’s perceived retreat to the ongoing crisis at Delaney Hall, a privately run ICE detention center in Newark, New Jersey, operated by GEO Group. “Day 9 of the riots and people like @SusieWiles47 and @ChrisLaCivita are steering the president toward caving to anarchists instead of the strong immigration enforcement voters demanded,” he wrote.
The facility became a flashpoint in late May when detainees launched a hunger strike over harsh conditions, sparking protests that drew New Jersey State Police and a curfew imposed by Newark Mayor Ras Baraka. Sen. Andy Kim (D-NJ) was pepper-sprayed while visiting the facility on May 25. After days of clashes, Gov. Mikie Sherrill announced on May 31 that visitations would resume after DHS met state demands, though the agency denied it had “caved” to pressure.
Public Opinion Divided
The internal administration rift mirrors a broader public divide over deportation policy. A Pew Research Center survey of 3,592 U.S. adults conducted April 6-12 found that 52% say the administration is doing “too much” on deportations, little changed from October 2025. However, the share saying “too little” has risen from 10% to 15%, driven primarily by Republicans — 28% of whom now say enforcement is insufficient, the highest level recorded.
Analysis and Implications
Bovino’s public airing of grievances represents a significant break from internal administration norms. By choosing to speak at a far-right conference and on social media rather than through internal channels, he is appealing directly to the administration’s base — potentially emboldening other hardliners to voice similar criticisms.
The timing is particularly delicate for the White House. With a majority of Americans already viewing deportation efforts as excessive, any escalation to appease hardliners risks further alienating the broader electorate. Yet failing to respond to Bovino’s criticism could erode support among core Republican voters who want maximum enforcement.
What’s Next
The Trump administration has not issued an official response to Bovino’s remarks. The White House faces a strategic dilemma: whether to reaffirm its commitment to mass deportations to satisfy its base, or to continue what appears to be a gradual moderation of enforcement in response to operational and political pressures. The coming weeks will reveal whether Bovino’s criticism is an isolated outburst or the opening salvo in a broader internal battle over the direction of immigration policy.