Bovino Defends Trench Coat After Newsom’s ‘SS Garb’ Remark

Gregory Bovino, a high-ranking U.S. Border Patrol commander, addressed comments made by California Governor Gavin Newsom regarding his trench coat. During an appearance on “On Balance with Leland Vittert” on NewsNation, Bovino clarified that his coat, which he has worn for over 25 years, is standard-issue attire from the Border Patrol. He purchased it around 1999, reflecting on its use during significant professional moments, including a 2021 swearing-in ceremony for former Customs and Border Protection Commissioner Chris Magnus.

Bovino’s Defense Against Critics

Bovino expressed surprise at the recent backlash surrounding his uniform. He received many compliments in the past, but now the coat has stirred controversy. “What changed?” he questioned. His remarks came after Newsom criticized his attire at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, likening it to “SS garb” and describing federal immigration enforcement as a “private army” engaged in alarming practices.

Context of Newsom’s Remarks

• Governor Newsom has a history of vocal opposition to federal immigration practices.
• Last October, he shared a video from ICE featuring Bovino in the coat, which he claimed illustrated authoritarianism.
• Newsom’s comments included grievances about due process and treatment of migrants by immigration officers.

In response to the escalating tensions, a spokesperson from the Department of Homeland Security, Tricia McLaughlin, defended Bovino’s choice of outerwear. She noted it is part of the standard-issue winter uniform for Border Patrol agents. McLaughlin condemned the exaggerated comparisons to Nazi Germany, emphasizing the importance of constructive policy discussions over sensationalized outrage.

Public and Academic Reactions

The New York Times highlighted Bovino’s coat as a focal point in the ongoing discussion about the role of ICE and Border Patrol in contemporary America. Some online reactions have drawn troubling parallels to historical fascist imagery. Princeton University history professor Harold James offered a critical perspective, suggesting that the military-style coat could provoke fear among the public.

As the discourse around law enforcement attire continues, Bovino’s trench coat remains symbolically significant in debates over immigration policy and authority. The diverging opinions underscore a broader societal clash about the role of law enforcement in addressing immigration issues.