DHS launches investigation into border chief over alleged Jewish prosecutor remarks
Inquiry opened after report claims senior official mocked Jewish observance of Shabbat and used “chosen people” sarcastically
The US Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has launched an internal investigation into allegations that a senior border official made disparaging remarks about the Jewish faith of a federal prosecutor.
Gregory Bovino, a senior figure in US Customs and Border Protection, is alleged to have mocked the Jewish observance of Minnesota’s top federal prosecutor, Daniel Rosen, during a phone call with state prosecutors earlier this year.
According to the New York Times, Bovino made sarcastic comments about Rosen’s observance of Shabbat during the call on 12 January. He is also reported to have used the phrase “chosen people” in a derisive tone.
The call reportedly came after Bovino requested a meeting with Rosen in an attempt to press the Minnesota US attorney’s office to take stronger legal action against people he believed were obstructing federal immigration enforcement operations.
US officials have confirmed the allegation is now the subject of an internal inquiry.
A DHS spokesperson said: “Following a letter from a Congressman inquiring about reporting on anonymous allegations, CBP opened an internal inquiry to determine the full story. This is standard procedure and does NOT indicate any confirmation of wrongdoing.”
The investigation is being led by a special investigator with Customs and Border Protection.
Bovino had previously served as the public face of Operation Metro Surge, a controversial immigration enforcement crackdown in Minnesota that drew national attention after two US citizens were fatally shot by federal agents within two weeks.
He was later removed from leading the operation following the deaths of Renee Good and Alex Pretti. In response to the growing controversy, Donald Trump sent immigration adviser Tom Homan to take control of the operation and announced a reduction in the roughly 3,000 federal agents deployed across the state.
Separately, Hennepin County attorney Mary Moriarty has opened a criminal investigation into potential misconduct by federal officers involved in the crackdown.
Her office is reviewing 17 cases linked to the operation, including an incident on 21 January in which Bovino was filmed throwing a smoke canister at protesters.
“Make no mistake, we are not afraid of the legal fight, and we are committed to doing this correctly,” Moriarty said. “Operation Metro Surge caused immeasurable harm to our community.”
Federal authorities have rejected the possibility of state prosecutions.
In a statement earlier this week, DHS said immigration enforcement is a federal responsibility and argued that states cannot prosecute federal officers for actions carried out during their duties.
“What these States are trying to do is unlawful, and they know it,” the department said. “Federal officials action in the course of their duties are immune from liability under state law.”
The internal inquiry into Bovino’s alleged remarks is ongoing.
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