Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino on Thursday said Democratic California Gov. Gavin Newsom bears responsibility for rising violence against federal immigration agents, following comments in which Newsom compared Bovino to a Nazi and mocked his uniform during an international interview.

Newsom made the remarks Wednesday while attending the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

During the interview, Newsom said Bovino looked like “he literally went on eBay and purchased SS garb,” a reference to the Border Patrol commander’s uniform.

Newsom also described Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations as “secret police, private army, masked men, people disappearing quite literally, no due process.”

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Bovino responded to the comments during a Thursday press conference, rejecting Newsom’s characterization and defending both his uniform and the conduct of federal immigration agents.

“Governor Newsom’s had a long record of lying, and again, those are … lies,” Bovino told the Daily Caller News Foundation when asked about the remarks.

Bovino said Newsom’s comments were not isolated and fit into a broader pattern of rhetoric from Democratic officials that he believes has contributed to attacks on immigration personnel.

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He cited recent incidents of violence and harassment directed at agents across the country, including within California.

According to Bovino, federal agents have faced increasing hostility during enforcement operations, ranging from verbal threats to physical assaults and stalking by activists.

He said that language used by prominent political figures fuels those confrontations and places agents and their families at risk.

Bovino also pointed to statements made by Democratic Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz and Democratic Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey as examples of rhetoric that escalates tensions.

Walz has previously referred to ICE as President Donald Trump’s “Gestapo,” while Frey has told federal agents to “get the fuck out of Minneapolis.”

Bovino said similar language from Newsom sends a message that legitimizes hostility toward law enforcement officers carrying out federal duties.

“He’s enjoying Davos and whatever he’s enjoying over there,” Bovino said when asked about Newsom’s participation in the World Economic Forum.

Bovino said the contrast between Newsom’s international appearances and the conditions faced by agents on the ground highlights what he described as a disconnect between political rhetoric and operational realities.

“Our agents are being assaulted and stalked by violent rioters,” Bovino told reporters.

He added that many of those individuals, in his view, “draw inspiration from his words when we operate in California because he says the same thing, some of the same things that Frey and Walz said.”

Bovino said that rhetoric portraying immigration enforcement as illegitimate or criminal has real-world consequences for officers tasked with enforcing federal law.

“So, he is responsible for that very violence that our agents are subject to on a daily basis,” Bovino said.

‘He’s responsible for that very violence that our agents are subject to’ @CMDROpAtLargeCA responds to California Governor Gavin Newsom who took shots at Bovino when he took the stage at the World Economic Forum in Davos @DailyCaller pic.twitter.com/OkdJaVreQK

— Jorge Ventura Media (@VenturaReport) January 22, 2026

The comments come amid heightened debate over immigration enforcement as federal agencies expand operations in several states, including California.

ICE and Border Patrol officials have repeatedly warned that aggressive rhetoric from elected leaders can undermine public safety and embolden individuals to interfere with lawful enforcement actions.

Federal officials have emphasized that Border Patrol and ICE uniforms, equipment, and procedures are standardized and regulated by federal law and agency policy.

Bovino said comparisons to historical regimes are inaccurate and dangerous, particularly when directed at officers performing lawful duties.

Bovino concluded by reiterating that immigration agents will continue their work despite political criticism, but warned that words from influential leaders can have consequences far beyond political debate.

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