By John Q. Hosedrinker 
Hennepin County is investigating 17 criminal cases involving federal agents, including former Customs and Border Patrol chief Gregory Bovino, for actions taken during “Operation Metro Surge” in Minnesota. Bovino is seen in footage deploying a gas canister that may have released carcinogenic agents. The county attorney has launched a Transparency and Accountability Project to examine these cases and gather community input, acknowledging the federal government’s lack of cooperation in providing evidence for accountability. This local effort represents a growing resistance to documented abuses by federal agents, contrasting with their historical lack of consequences.
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It’s a significant development when a former high-ranking Border Patrol official, Gregory Bovino, finds himself under criminal investigation. The circumstances surrounding this investigation are particularly concerning, stemming from video footage that appears to show Bovino, described as the Border Patrol’s former “commander-at-large,” actively participating in an event in Minneapolis in January where a gas canister was thrown at protesters and observers.
The allegations paint a disturbing picture of someone in a position of authority engaging in actions that are now subject to legal scrutiny. The video evidence, which has become a focal point, is central to understanding the nature of the investigation and the concerns being raised about Bovino’s conduct during that Minneapolis incident.
Some observers have gone so far as to label Bovino with extreme epithets, suggesting he deliberately adopted Nazi-like attire and mannerisms, even going as far as to claim he made Nazi salutes. These are very serious accusations, and if proven, they would undoubtedly paint a deeply troubling portrait of his actions and motivations. The call for him to face a jury in Minneapolis reflects a strong sentiment that accountability is necessary.
The comparison to a “commander of the lollipop guild” highlights a perceived disconnect between Bovino’s official title and the seriousness of the allegations, perhaps suggesting a sense of absurdity or a belief that his actions were far from the dignified behavior one might expect from a law enforcement leader. This sentiment is echoed by those who hope he “gets his due” and envision him facing consequences, even picturing a “nazi grin” on his face as he contemplates potential imprisonment.
The frustration surrounding accountability is palpable, with some commenters expressing a desire to see justice for other individuals, such as Rene Good and Alex Pretti, whose deaths are also brought up in this context, implying a hope that the investigation into Bovino will pave the way for broader accountability. The idea that “justice may be slow but it is unyielding” reflects a persistent hope that wrongs will eventually be righted.
A broader political context is also being invoked, with some arguing that the biggest threat to American livelihoods comes from Republican leadership, particularly at the state level, where they believe personal freedoms and livelihoods are most vulnerable. The concern is that Republican control could lead to the “washing away” of crimes and misconduct, similar to what they perceive as federal-level attempts to do the same. This perspective emphasizes the importance of civic engagement and voting, urging support for Democrats as the only viable choice in certain elections.
The notion that ideological enemies might be perceived as “stupid” is acknowledged, but the argument is made that focusing solely on this can be a comforting but ultimately ineffective approach. The belief here is that officials like Bovino, and others like Noem, who are seen as carrying out orders, are acting with a lack of foresight, understanding that such actions, even if seemingly supported by some, will inevitably lead to consequences. The idea is that agreeing to be the one who carries out potentially harmful actions, without considering the inevitable blowback, demonstrates a fundamental inability to think ahead.
The demand for accountability extends beyond Bovino, with a strong emphasis on not forgetting the need for criminal investigations into the deaths of Alex Pretti and Rene Good. The sentiment is that if Bovino can face scrutiny, then others implicated in these tragedies should be subjected to the same level of investigation. The repeated phrase “Lock him up!” clearly articulates a desire for immediate and decisive action.
The visual of Bovino’s alleged actions has also drawn commentary, with some questioning if he was “standing on it first,” perhaps alluding to a perceived lack of physical presence or dominance. The comparison to the “Playboy Bunny handler in Apocalypse Now” is used to evoke a specific image of someone caught in a chaotic or awkward situation, trying to navigate an escape. The phrase “at large” is used somewhat ironically, given his former official position.
His physical appearance and the way he allegedly threw the canister have also become points of discussion. Some have criticized his throwing ability, suggesting it undermines any attempt to project a “macho tough guy” image, especially when caught on camera. The implication is that if one is going to act in such a manner, there should be a certain level of competence displayed.
The accusations of Nazi-like behavior are persistent, with comments like “If it walks like a Nazi, talks like a Nazi, and has a stupid fucking haircut, it’s a fucking Nazi” highlighting how his alleged presentation is interpreted as deeply problematic and indicative of extremist sympathies. This is further reinforced by specific mentions of his haircut being styled like an SS officer, and Germany reportedly commenting on his attire.
There’s also a discussion about the potential difficulty of finding an impartial jury in Minnesota, suggesting that the highly charged nature of the events might make it challenging to ensure a fair trial. However, there’s also confirmation that the Minnesota state Attorney General’s office and the Bureau of Criminal Apprehension have an active investigation, although concerns are being raised about the federal government potentially withholding evidence. The Hennepin County Attorney’s office is specifically mentioned as likely to charge Bovino for the incident captured on video, and potentially pursue other cases involving federal agents.
The potential for legal action against federal authorities for withholding evidence in cases like the deaths of Renée Good and Alex Pretti, and the shooting of Julio Sosa-Celis, is a significant point, indicating a willingness to escalate the pursuit of justice. The idea of him being tried as an adult is also raised, suggesting a concern about his perceived maturity or the severity of the charges.
A more general point is made about competence and judgment, using the example of Amy Coney-Barrett to illustrate how qualifications and ethics are disregarded in certain political circles. The argument is that in such environments, “anything you can BS your way into makes you qualified,” which stands in stark contrast to the diligent work of collecting evidence and requesting information from authorities, even when met with refusals.
The desire for strong action is evident, with comments like “Hope you’re ready for a long, long nap” directed at those who might face consequences. The speculative and somewhat dark humor about “DNA testing supremacist types” and discovering unexpected ancestry reflects a broader frustration with ideologies of hate and division.
The description of Bovino’s alleged throwing action as looking like someone “trying to open a dip from Trader Joe’s” adds a layer of almost comical criticism, further undermining any attempt to portray him as a serious or imposing figure in that moment. The persistent references to his haircut and attire as reminiscent of Nazi uniforms underscore the gravity of these comparisons and the discomfort they evoke.
The debate over whether Bovino was actually acting like a Nazi is touched upon, with a counter-argument that “People besides Nazis wear winter coats. There was no acting like a Nazi or giving salutes either.” This highlights the subjective nature of interpretation and the importance of concrete evidence beyond general observations of appearance. However, the linked article suggests that Germany itself made comments about his attire resembling that of a Nazi, lending some weight to the visual interpretation.
The connection between Nazism and the historical context of gassing innocent people is also made, implicitly linking the actions being investigated to those of the historical Nazi regime, intensifying the criticism against Bovino. The wish for him to cry upon sentencing indicates a desire for emotional suffering as part of his punishment.
A specific point is made about Keith Ellison, the Minnesota Attorney General, being criticized for a perceived lack of action, with claims that he was more focused on campaigning and podcasts than on arresting and charging ICE agents. This suggests a division in opinion regarding the effectiveness of different political figures in addressing these issues, with Mary Moriaty being credited for her diligent work in collecting evidence. The assertion that Ellison is “passive/not involved” and that Moriaty is correctly credited in relevant articles is a strong indictment of his perceived inaction.