Bovino stated in remarks with clips shared from 7:46 p.m. to 8:15 p.m. UTC on Jan. 25 that U.S. Border Patrol and ICE presence in Minneapolis results from politicians choosing collusion and corruption, as well as individuals opting to cross the border illegally, ignore the CBP Home app, and use a five-year-old child as a shield to evade law enforcement. Bovino said, "When as a politician, if you choose collusion and corruption as a choice, then there are consequences and actions that take place because of that. That's one reason the U.S. Border patrol and ICE are here in Minneapolis," according to X posts by @Acyn capturing the comments during the 29-minute window. Bovino added that listening to politicians, journalists, or leaders who vilify law enforcement is a choice with consequences, as seen yesterday, and emphasized, "Making a choice is one of the only true freedoms that any of us really have… And many actions that take place are due to our choices," per additional @Acyn posts. Bovino further noted, "When you choose to use your five year old child as a shield to evade law enforcement, that is a choice that someone makes. And there are actions and consequences that result from that choice," according to the X clips. These statements follow earlier controversy over the killing of Alex Pretti during immigration enforcement in Minneapolis, which prompted House Democrats to urge DHS Secretary Kristi Noem's removal and Republicans to warn of political damage, as reported in prior updates from Punchbowl News and Politico.
