Former Border Patrol Chief Greg Bovino claimed officials within the Trump administration want him dead after his government security detail was withdrawn, prompting surprise from podcast host Tucker Carlson.
Bovino, 56, made the explosive allegation Wednesday during an appearance on “The Tucker Carlson Show,” saying he had faced significant death threats while working at the Department of Homeland Security.
The former Border Patrol official said he was among the most threatened people within DHS when his security protection was removed following his departure.
“The minute I left, security detail gets pulled,” Bovino told Carlson, describing himself as facing some of the highest threats in the department.
Bovino said the Border Patrol agents assigned to protect him initially refused to leave his home when their detail ended at midnight. He claimed he ultimately had to order them to depart because he was no longer part of the agency.
When Carlson asked whether Bovino believed the administration was responsible, Bovino replied, “Yeah. Absolutely. Yes. You bet.”
Carlson then contrasted Bovino’s situation with former White House medical adviser Anthony Fauci, claiming Fauci continued receiving federal protection despite no longer working for the government.
The host asked whether the administration removed Bovino’s security to silence him — even if doing so could result in his death.
“Do I think they want me dead at this point? Yes,” Bovino responded.
Bovino claimed he faces a “running battle” whenever he goes outside and said residents in his community have noticed people approaching him. He warned that “there’s some crazies out there” and again said he believed administration officials wanted him killed.
However, Bovino specifically said he did not believe Trump was involved in the alleged effort.
“I don’t think Trump would,” Bovino said, arguing that the president would be horrified if he knew what had allegedly been done to Border Patrol agents, Immigration and Customs Enforcement officers or others who disagreed with certain officials.
Carlson then directly asked whether Bovino believed border czar Tom Homan wanted him dead.
Bovino pointed instead to Rodney Scott, saying Scott was responsible for removing his security detail while Homan was present. When Carlson noted that the accusation was exceptionally serious, Bovino stood by his claim.
The former Border Patrol chief said he had expected to retain some protection after retiring because of the threats directed at him.
The White House forcefully rejected Bovino’s allegations.
“This is absurd,” a White House spokesperson told Mediaite.
White House spokesperson Lauren Bis also defended Homan, describing him as “an American patriot and career law enforcement officer” with decades of experience protecting communities and deporting immigrants in the country illegally.
