Social Media Showdown: Ex-Border Patrol Commander’s Accounts Shut Down Amidst Controversy
A significant fallout has erupted within the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) ranks, culminating in the shutdown of official government social media accounts previously managed by former “commander at large” Greg Bovino. The move comes after Bovino reportedly refused to relinquish control of the accounts, which he had cultivated into a substantial personal platform.
Bovino, who became a prominent figurehead for former President Donald Trump’s controversial immigration enforcement operations in so-called “sanctuary cities” back in 2025, leveraged social media to build his public profile. He operated under the self-styled title of “commander at large” and actively used platforms like X (formerly Twitter), Facebook, and Instagram. Collectively, these accounts boasted an impressive following of around 850,000 users.
His social media activity intensified after he took charge of agents deployed to Los Angeles for immigration raids. Bovino frequently posted short, attention-grabbing videos that amplified the actions of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Border Patrol agents. This approach, however, was met with strong disapproval from immigrant advocates and those on the receiving end of Department of Homeland Security (DHS) enforcement actions, who viewed his posts as inflammatory and self-aggrandising.
The crux of the dispute lies in the ownership of these popular social media channels. It has been revealed that the accounts Bovino used to promote himself and the agencies were, in fact, officially designated for the Border Patrol’s El Centro, California, regional office.
A Direct Order Ignored
According to a recent report, the accounts were officially deactivated on Thursday. A CBP spokesperson confirmed to the publication that “Chief Patrol Agent Bovino has retired from federal service and no longer has access to official government social media accounts.”
Sources close to the situation, who spoke to the outlet on condition of anonymity, detailed the escalating conflict. One individual stated that Border Patrol Commissioner Rodney Scott issued a direct command to Bovino, instructing him to return the accounts to reflect their official designation as belonging to the El Centro Sector, with new accounts to be established for his specific role.
However, Bovino reportedly balked at this directive. He allegedly argued that the followers were his personal audience, cultivated through his own efforts, and that they expected him to continue posting from various locations, not just remain tied to a specific sector. This stance, according to one source, indicated that “It was all about Greg Bovino getting attention and nothing else.”
Personal Branding Over Official Duty
Bovino’s commitment to his personal brand was evident in an announcement he made on August 4th. He declared his intention to rename an official government account to align with his “Commander – Operation At Large CA” designation.
He posted, “The @USBPChiefELC Facebook page will be changing names to ‘Gregory K. Bovino, Commander-Operation At Large CA’ – @CommanderOpAtLargeCA. Moving forward, all content posted here will be related to Operation at Large in Los Angeles, CA.” This move was unprecedented, as no other Border Patrol regional chief had previously rebranded a regional social media account to reflect their individual persona or assignment.
Another source recounted Bovino’s defiant response when asked to hand over the accounts: “Those are my followers, so I’m taking them with me.”
Allegations of Political Interference
Adding another layer to the controversy are allegations that Corey Lewandowski, a former campaign manager for President Donald Trump and a special employee under former DHS Secretary Kristi Noem, may have intervened to shield Bovino from CBP’s efforts to reclaim the social media assets.
A third source suggested that Lewandowski’s alleged protection “empowered Bovino and his ego even more.” This source also raised concerns about Bovino’s judgment, implying he was willing to put agents in potentially dangerous situations for the sake of a photo opportunity, citing an example of placing boats on a river in Chicago.
Impact on Regional Communications
While Bovino was engaged in his social media influencer activities, the El Centro region found itself without its dedicated communication channel. CBP eventually authorised the creation of three new accounts – one each on Facebook, X, and Instagram – to disseminate news and updates specific to the El Centro area. However, these new accounts started from scratch, with zero followers, significantly hampering their ability to reach a wide audience and share information effectively.
An official within CBP stated that Bovino’s decision to claim the social media accounts for himself “damaged” the El Centro region’s capacity to engage with the public and the media.
Bovino eventually stepped down from his “commander at large” position following nationwide backlash, particularly after the fatal shootings of two protesters by DHS agents in Minnesota. He formally retired from federal service two months later.
The Independent has sought comment from Greg Bovino regarding these developments.
