When your social media defense strategy backfires this spectacularly, you know the crisis management playbook needs rewriting. The Department of Homeland Security suspended Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino’s access to his social media accounts after he posted unverified claims defending a federal agent’s killing of Alex Pretti, a 37-year-old ICU nurse, during Minneapolis immigration enforcement operations.
This wasn’t Twitter or Meta pulling the plug—DHS locked Bovino out internally, signaling how federal agencies are scrambling to control official narratives when viral videos contradict their talking points. Bovino had defended claims that Pretti was an “agitator” preparing to harm federal agents, despite video evidence suggesting otherwise.
Command Shuffle
Bovino loses Minneapolis role in “mutual” decision as Tom Homan takes control of tense operations.
Bovino’s social media suspension coincided with his removal from his “commander at large” role in Minneapolis. He’s heading back to El Centro, California, though DHS insists he retains duties and remains a “key part” of the team—the kind of corporate speak that usually precedes a very quiet retirement.
Tom Homan stepped in as the new commander in what officials called a “mutual” decision. Translation: someone needed to clean up the mess after Bovino and DHS Secretary Kristi Noem’s handling of the crisis drew bipartisan criticism. When even Republicans start calling for transparent investigations into federal shootings, you’ve lost the room.
Damage Control Mode
White House distances itself from inflammatory rhetoric as administration shifts toward de-escalation.
The Trump administration quickly pivoted from aggressive posturing to damage control mode. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt notably distanced the administration from “domestic terrorist” labels that Noem and others had used to describe Pretti, emphasizing facts over inflammatory rhetoric.
President Trump described calls with Minnesota Governor Tim Walz and Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey as productive, agreeing to pull some agents and allow the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension to conduct an independent investigation. When viral videos make your enforcement operation look like overreach, even the most hardline administration has to recalibrate.
This episode reveals how quickly social media can turn government communications strategies into liability management. Federal agencies may need stricter protocols for official accounts when operations go sideways and everyone has a camera.
