Minnesota is bracing for a political and legal showdown after the Hennepin County Attorney’s Office confirmed it is reviewing at least 17 incidents tied to former Border Patrol “commander at large” Greg Bovino and the federal surge he led in Minneapolis.
The state’s “Transparency and Accountability Project” is examining whether laws were broken during the weeks-long immigration enforcement operation, which included violent clashes with protesters and the fatal shootings of two demonstrators. Among the incidents under review is an episode in which Bovino allegedly lobbed a smoke canister into a crowd.
County Attorney Mary Moriarty made clear the investigation will not shy away from confrontation. “We will investigate and pursue charging where appropriate,” she said, pledging to proceed “ethically, responsibly and vigorously.”
“Make no mistake, we are not afraid of any legal fight. But we will do this ethically, responsibly, and vigorously. TAP is fundamental to our efforts to ensure the transparency and accountability that our community deserves. This is just the beginning.”
Mary Moriarty, Hennepin County Attorney
The probe has stirred up Minnesotans online, where Reddit threads discussing the case reflect a mix of anger, pragmatism, and calls for accountability at every level of command.
While some users argued Bovino is merely a cog in a larger machine, others insisted that targeting him is an essential first step. “Going after Bovino is critical,” one commenter wrote. Another added, “He absolutely should be investigated.”
The debate quickly evolved into a broader strategy discussion. One user framed it bluntly: “Charge him and see if he flips on someone higher up.” Others likened the process to methodically working through a chain of command. “You start with the low-level goons and work your way to the bosses,” another commenter observed.
Deterrence emerged as a recurring theme. “If Bovino gets charged, the next guy might not believe Trump when he says to ‘take off the gloves,’” one Redditor argued, suggesting that consequences at the state level could ripple through federal ranks.
Several commenters emphasized that prosecuting state-level offenses may be one of the few levers available to Minnesota authorities. “He is what is available in their jurisdiction,” one user noted, adding that participation in alleged wrongdoing does not grant immunity simply because someone is “a minion.”
The rhetoric was at times fiery. One highly upvoted post declared, “Roll them up,” capturing the intensity of public frustration.
Whether the investigation results in criminal charges remains to be seen. Bovino was reportedly reassigned to a Customs and Border Protection post near the U.S.-Mexico border following mounting backlash and bipartisan pressure. Meanwhile, state and federal authorities remain at odds over evidence access related to the fatal shooting of demonstrator Alex Pretti.
For many Minnesotans, however, the legal technicalities are secondary to a larger question: can state prosecutors hold federal power to account? As one commenter put it, “If the system can actually work… it would be a significant first step.”
