On January 23, German media simultaneously reported on Gregory Bovino, a senior official of the US border guard force. Mr. Bovino recently became famous for directly commanding fierce immigration control campaigns across the United States.
However, what German public opinion paid attention to was not these campaigns but the long olive-green mannequin jacket with brass buttons that he often wore. This outfit was completely different from the ran ri uniform and protective armor commonly seen by other federal agents.
German newspaper Der Spiegel commented that along with his short haircut close to his scalp, Mr. Bovino's appearance evoked the image of a Nazi German officer.
Journalist Arno Frank of Der Spiegel newspaper made figurative comparisons about Mr. Bovino's style. This writer commented that among a group of agents dressed somewhat arbitrarily, Mr. Bovino became different and prominent.
The author of the article also described in detail the high and side-cut hairstyle of this US official, commenting that his styling is "standard" to the point that just wearing a pair of classic single-eye glasses is enough to complete an ancient costume.
The article also describes in detail the outfit including a black shirt with a badge attached to the neck and especially a leather belt with a strap crossing the shoulder. This is originally an old-style officer accessory, but nowadays it often evokes sensitive images and is rarely used in modern military uniforms.
Faced with a wave of criticism, Mr. Bovino denied all allegations related to promoting fascism. He said this was just a shirt he had owned and used for many years.
On the management side, representatives of the US Department of Homeland Security also confirmed to the press that public opinion is "exaggerating the matter" and declared that this shirt is a standard military uniform.
The story is not only controversial in Germany. Even in the US, California Governor Gavin Newsom also shared a video of Mr. Bovino, with a warning that concerns about the appearance of extremist elements in the public apparatus are completely grounded.
