Department of Homeland Security Chief Border Patrol Agent Gregory Bovino has sparked controversy by characterizing protesters opposing federal immigration crackdowns as displaying "cult behavior." The comments came during a Thursday morning appearance on Fox News amid ongoing large-scale enforcement operations in Charlotte, North Carolina.
Operation Charlotte's Web Sparks Public Outcry
Border Patrol agents have been visible throughout Charlotte this week, conducting what officials have dubbed "Operation Charlotte's Web." The operation has resulted in hundreds of arrests and generated significant community backlash. Federal immigration agents have been documented using aggressive tactics, including violently slamming people to the ground and reportedly detaining U.S. citizens.
One Charlotte resident who identifies as a U.S. citizen told The Associated Press that border patrol agents threw him to the ground and briefly detained him. These incidents have contributed to growing public scrutiny of both Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement during President Donald Trump's second term.
Bovino's Controversial Comments on Fox News
During his appearance on "Jesse Watters Primetime," Bovino expressed difficulty understanding the public backlash against immigration enforcement. "It's beyond understanding in some ways," he told Watters, describing the protest response as a "tall order" to comprehend.
"I was talking with my team today, and we've came to the conclusion that this is a cult, like, this is a cult. This is cult behavior," Bovino stated. "These individuals oftentimes don't even know why they're protesting ICE and Border Patrol in their communities."
The Border Patrol chief further claimed that protesters would demonstrate even if agents were apprehending a child rapist, describing this as "the very definition of a cult-like mentality." Fox News host Jesse Watters amplified the characterization, commenting that protesters "look like they've been brainwashed."
Broader Pattern of Enforcement and Legal Challenges
The massive immigration enforcement operations extend beyond Charlotte to other Democratic-led cities including Chicago and Los Angeles. These operations have triggered multiple lawsuits citing aggressive use of force against protesters, including deployment of tear gas and pepper balls.
Recent reports from multiple news outlets, citing federal court records, reveal that an overwhelming majority of people detained in the Trump administration's immigration crackdown in Chicago had no criminal histories.
According to The Associated Press, Bovino and his Border Patrol agents are planning their next major deployment in New Orleans—a two-month operation they have named "Swamp Sweep." This continued expansion of aggressive immigration enforcement suggests the controversial tactics and accompanying public protests are likely to persist.
