What Is the Controversy Over Gregory Bovino's 'Nazi-Like' Coat?
Quick Summary
Senior U.S. border patrol official Gregory Bovino sparked an international controversy after wearing a distinctive olive green, calf-length greatcoat during immigration raids in Minneapolis, which, combined with his close-shorn haircut, drew comparisons to the aesthetic of Nazi-era officers. German media outlets like *Der Spiegel* and *Süddeutsche Zeitung* heavily criticized his appearance, suggesting it was part of a deliberate "authoritarian" look, with one writer quipping that "all that’s missing for the perfect cosplay is a monocle." In response, Bovino denied any fascist intent, and a Department of Homeland Security official dismissed the controversy as a "manufactured outrage," claiming the coat was a "standard-issue" uniform. However, this explanation was contradicted by a *New York Times* report which, after checking official 2025 Border Patrol documents, found the coat was not listed as part of any official uniform. The debate also gained traction in the U.S., with California Governor Gavin Newsom weighing in on a video of Bovino by stating, "If you think the calls of fascism and authoritarianism are hyperbole pause and watch this video... They aren’t even trying to hide who they are."
When senior U.S. border patrol official Gregory Bovino showed up to immigration operations in Minneapolis, he probably didn’t think his choice of coat would set off an international firestorm. But...
When senior U.S. border patrol official Gregory Bovino showed up to immigration operations in Minneapolis, he probably didn’t think his choice of coat would set off an international firestorm. But that’s exactly what happened.
During raids on January 15, 2026, Bovino stood out from the other federal agents in their typical fatigues. He was wearing a distinctive, calf-length greatcoat in olive green with brass buttons. That coat, combined with his close-shorn haircut, led commentators—especially in Germany—to draw some unsettling comparisons to the aesthetic of Nazi-era officers.
The German media didn't pull any punches. The news organization *Der Spiegel* ran a video feature suggesting Bovino’s look was reminiscent of a Nazi officer. In a related article, writer Arno Frank reflected on what he called America's slide into "authoritarian intervention" and its search for a "distinctive aesthetic" to go with it.
"No wonder, then, that figures like Bovino are resorting to tried-and-tested models," Frank wrote, arguing that Bovino's polished appearance was a deliberate choice that set him apart. "He stands out from this thuggish mob, just as an elegant SS officer stands out from the rowdy SA mob," Frank added, quipping that "all that’s missing for the perfect cosplay is a monocle."
Another major German outlet, *Süddeutsche Zeitung*, felt the same way. It claimed Bovino's entire ensemble contributed to the "Nazi look," right down to his haircut—which it said looked as if he’d asked his barber for the "Ernst Röhm"—and his black shirt and Sam Browne belt, an accessory it pointed out is now seen more in the BDSM scene than on military officers.
When asked about it, Bovino denied any intent to look like a fascist, saying he’d owned the coat for many years. Tricia McLaughlin, the assistant secretary for public affairs at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), dismissed the controversy as a "manufactured outrage" when speaking to *The Guardian*. She had previously told *The New York Times* that the coat was simply a "standard-issue border patrol winter dress uniform."
But that official explanation didn't quite hold up. *The New York Times* checked a 2025 Border Patrol document on uniform and grooming standards and reported that the coat Bovino was wearing wasn't listed as part of any official uniform.
The debate wasn't limited to Germany. California Governor Gavin Newsom, a sharp critic of the administration's immigration policies, saw a government clip of Bovino and weighed in. "If you think the calls of fascism and authoritarianism are hyperbole pause and watch this video," Newsom posted back in October. "They aren’t even trying to hide who they are."