Gregory Bovino, the former chief of operations for the U.S. Border Patrol. His flamboyant dress code during immigration raids has caught a lot of heat. Bovino, known for leading aggressive immigration initiatives across the country, has been spotted wearing a brass-buttoned, calf-length olive green coat during raids in Minneapolis. His sartorial decision couldn’t be more different than the khakis and tactical vests favored by most federal agents. As a consequence, people are likening his style to that of a Nazi death camp administrator.
The scandal over Bovino’s coat has made headlines in the German press. Publications such as Der Spiegel and Süddeutsche Zeitung have already published commentaries reacting to his appearance. They propose that it evokes imagery associated with a Nazi stormtrooper. Arno Frank, a writer for Der Spiegel, remarked that Bovino “stands out from this thuggish mob, just as an elegant SS officer stands out from the rowdy SA mob.”
Despite the backlash, Bovino asserts that the coat is part of a “standard-issue border patrol winter dress uniform.” However, a 2025 document detailing the Border Patrol’s Uniform and Grooming Standards does not include this coat as part of any official uniform. Bovino has had the coat for decades. He absolutely, positively rejects any suggestion that he was trying to send fascist or Nazi-inspired signals with his costume.
California Governor Gavin Newsom reacted strongly to the even broader implications of Bovino’s get-up. He stated, “If you think the calls of fascism and authoritarianism are hyperbole pause and watch this video.” Newsom further criticized the actions of border authorities, saying, “They aren’t even trying to hide who they are.”
Tricia McLaughlin, acting secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), responded to inquiries about the coat. She downplayed the backlash, labeling it “the manufactured outrage of the day.” Yet her comments allude to an effort to lessen the impact of the criticism aimed at Bovino.
Debate about Bovino’s outfit is starting to boil over. Beyond the issue of representation, this controversy reveals a deeper concern with how we view authority within local law enforcement agencies. His approach couldn’t be more different than that of his peers. This disparity has sparked a national conversation about consistency and what the sartorial choices of individuals convey in high-stakes settings.