January 31, 2026 — Gregory Bovino, a senior Border Patrol field leader closely associated with the Trump administration’s expanded immigration enforcement efforts, is facing criticism following reports that he made disparaging remarks about the Jewish faith of Minnesota’s U.S. Attorney during a recent conference call with federal prosecutors.
According to The New York Times, the incident occurred on January 12 during a call involving Justice Department lawyers. Multiple sources familiar with the discussion said Bovino made remarks targeting Daniel N. Rosen, the U.S. Attorney for the District of Minnesota, who is an Orthodox Jew and observes Shabbat, a weekly religious day of rest that typically limits work and electronic communication from Friday evening to Saturday night.
Sources told the Times that Bovino allegedly used the phrase “chosen people” in a mocking tone and questioned whether Rosen understood that “Orthodox Jewish criminals don’t take weekends off.” Participants on the call reportedly described the comments as unsettling and inappropriate, further intensifying existing tensions between federal immigration enforcement officials and Justice Department leadership.
The exchange reportedly took place one day before six career prosecutors in the Minnesota U.S. Attorney’s Office resigned, citing concerns over the Justice Department’s handling of a fatal shooting involving ICE agents in Minneapolis.
Bovino has been a central figure in the administration’s immigration operations, serving as a highly visible leader in initiatives such as Operation Metro Surge. He has frequently appeared in public-facing enforcement updates and field operations in cities including Minneapolis. However, his leadership there has drawn controversy, particularly following the deaths of U.S. citizen Renée Good and legal observer Alex Pretti during encounters involving federal agents—incidents that prompted protests and internal dissent within the Justice Department.
Amid mounting scrutiny, Bovino was reportedly preparing to step away from his leadership role in Minneapolis. Border czar Tom Homan has since assumed oversight of enforcement efforts in the region. Bovino is expected to return to his prior role as chief patrol agent in California’s El Centro sector, according to multiple reports.
The alleged remarks have renewed criticism of the administration’s immigration strategy, raising concerns about professionalism, religious sensitivity, and coordination between federal agencies. As of publication, neither Bovino nor the Department of Homeland Security has issued a public response addressing the specific allegations. DHS has previously defended Bovino as a committed and effective enforcement official.
The situation remains under review, with potential implications for inter-agency cooperation and broader debates over federal immigration policy.
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