NYT profiles architect of brutal crackdown, lets him say he “didn’t go far enough”
When someone leaves behind investigations, lawsuits, civilian deaths, and a trail of abuses, “no regrets” isn’t color; it’s the story.
The New York Times offers a surprisingly gentle exit interview with cosplaying ICE Gruppenführer Gregory Bovino, a Border Patrol official tied to chaotic immigration crackdowns, civilian deaths, and repeated accusations of unconstitutional conduct, and who, even now, says his only regret is that he didn’t go further.
For months, the administration had praised Mr. Bovino for his aggressive raids. Last summer, a D.H.S. spokesperson told a reporter that he was chosen to lead the force “because he’s a badass.”
When the Minneapolis fallout shuttered Mr. Bovino’s operation, the unit was disappointed, said one member of his team, who spoke on the condition of anonymity because of a ban on homeland security agents speaking to the media. Two members of the unit said that Mr. Bovino was a beloved leader who was as accessible as he was fierce and that morale on the team had been at an all-time high.
Mr. Bovino said he disagreed with the message the agency had sent by leaving Minnesota. He also said that he did not regret his claim that Mr. Pretti had wanted to “massacre law enforcement” despite the lack of evidence to back up that assessment.
When someone leaves behind investigations, lawsuits, civilian deaths, and a trail of abuses, “no regrets” isn’t color; it’s the story.