A senior Border Patrol official faces a federal investigation over alleged antisemitic remarks about an Orthodox Jewish prosecutor, raising serious questions about leadership standards in immigration enforcement during a period when the Trump administration has made combating antisemitism a stated priority.
Story Snapshot
- Gregory Bovino allegedly asked “Do Orthodox criminals also take off on Saturday?” during a federal coordination call after learning U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen couldn’t attend a Saturday meeting due to Sabbath observance.
- The Department of Homeland Security launched an investigation into whether Bovino made disparaging comments about the Jewish faith during the January 12, 2026 call.
- Bovino was reassigned from his Minneapolis command in late February following backlash over controversial enforcement tactics and false statements about a fatal shooting.
- The allegations contradict the administration’s commitment to countering antisemitism and emerged amid growing tensions between federal immigration officials and Minnesota prosecutors.
Alleged Comments During Federal Coordination Call
Gregory Bovino, a veteran Border Patrol leader overseeing immigration enforcement operations in Minnesota, allegedly made offensive remarks during a January 12, 2026 federal coordination call involving multiple agencies. According to sources familiar with the conversation, Bovino questioned whether “Orthodox criminals also take off on Saturday” after being informed that U.S. Attorney Daniel Rosen, an Orthodox Jew, could not attend a proposed Saturday meeting due to Sabbath observance. Sources also reported Bovino’s disparaging use of the phrase “chosen people” in reference to Jewish identity. Multiple outlets characterized the remarks as an “antisemitic rant,” prompting Attorney General Pam Bondi and senior Justice Department officials to be notified of the allegations.
Pattern of Controversial Conduct Raises Concerns
The antisemitism allegations represent the latest in a series of troubling incidents involving Bovino’s leadership. In October 2025, while serving as Border Patrol “commander-at-large” during Chicago deportation operations, U.S. District Judge Sara Ellis issued an injunction limiting agents’ use of force and sharply criticized Bovino’s deposition conduct. Judge Ellis stated that Bovino “appeared evasive over the three days of his deposition, either providing ‘cute’ responses to the Plaintiffs’ counsel’s questions or outright lying.” This judicial criticism establishes a documented pattern of questionable judgment and truthfulness that undermines confidence in his ability to lead sensitive enforcement operations with integrity.
False Statements About Fatal Shooting Compounded Leadership Failures
Bovino’s credibility suffered another blow following the January 24, 2026 fatal shooting of Alex Pretti by two Customs and Border Protection officers. Bovino publicly characterized the incident as involving intent for “maximum damage” and a potential “massacre,” statements later contradicted by witness accounts and video evidence. This mischaracterization of a fatal encounter demonstrates either reckless disregard for facts or deliberate distortion, neither of which is acceptable for a senior federal law enforcement official. Combined with the January 12 antisemitism allegations and Judge Ellis’ October criticism about lying during depositions, these incidents reveal a troubling pattern that justified his removal from Minneapolis command in late February.
Investigation Exposes Double Standard on Antisemitism
The Bovino investigation highlights a glaring inconsistency between the Trump administration’s stated commitment to combating antisemitism and its tolerance of alleged discriminatory conduct within federal agencies. While the Justice Department and Department of Education have launched dozens of civil rights probes examining whether college campuses adequately protected Jewish students during Gaza-related protests, Homeland Security initially remained silent on allegations involving one of its own senior officials. This double standard undermines the administration’s credibility on antisemitism and suggests accountability standards may depend on political convenience rather than consistent principles. Federal officials who fail to respect colleagues’ religious observances deserve swift consequences, not reassignment to comfortable positions.
U.S. Homeland Security investigates whether Bovino made disparaging comments about Jewish faith @WashTimes https://t.co/1kkfT6OVyZ
— Washington Times Local (@WashTimesLocal) March 5, 2026
Bovino was reassigned to his former position as chief agent in California’s El Centro sector following his removal from Minneapolis command. The Department of Homeland Security, White House, and Department of Justice had not publicly confirmed or denied the allegations as of early March 2026, though DHS launched an investigation into whether Bovino made disparaging comments about the Jewish faith. The allegations rely on multiple sources familiar with the January 12 call, though Bovino has not provided a direct response to the accusations. Federal prosecutors in Minnesota have expressed growing unease with immigration enforcement officials over tactics and leadership conduct, complicating interagency coordination during a period of intensified enforcement operations.
