WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, House Homeland Security Committee Chairman Mark E. Green, MD (R-TN) and House Oversight and Accountability Chairman James Comer (R-KY) issued the following statement regarding the reinstatement of Gregory Bovino as Chief Patrol Agent for the El Centro Sector:

“We congratulate Chief Bovino on his rightful reinstatement as Chief Patrol Agent for the El Centro Sector and look forward to his continued dedicated leadership with Border Patrol. The credible and unacceptable allegations of retaliation against Chief Bovino for simply shining a light on the Biden administration’s historic border crisis confirms the importance of our Committees’ crucial oversight effort on behalf of the American people. Any retaliation against witnesses who cooperate with Congressional inquiries will not be tolerated. We are deeply grateful to Chief Bovino and all the Border Patrol Sector Chiefs who have shared with us firsthand insight into the devastating conditions on the frontlines of the Southwest border. Amid this administration’s national security and humanitarian crisis, we owe an immense debt of gratitude to the men and women in green who work tirelessly to defend the homeland and secure our sovereign borders.”

Background:
 
In July, Chief Bovino was relieved of his command over the El Centro Sector and reassigned to a vague position at Department of Homeland Security headquarters within hours of testifying in a transcribed interview for the two Committees’ oversight investigation into the Southwest border crisis. In response to a credible whistleblower complaint, Chairmen Green and Comer sent a letter to the Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Commissioner Troy A. Miller, probing allegations that U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) officials had retaliated against Chief Bovino for his testimony. 
 

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