A tense confrontation at a Minneapolis gas station ignited a dispute reaching the highest levels of the Trump administration. U.S. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino and his team were reportedly refused service, a moment captured on video and quickly spreading online.
The incident, occurring in late January at a Speedway – owned by 7-Eleven – showed a manager confronting Commander Bovino as he left the store. The manager’s words were stark: “I don’t support ICE, and nobody here does.” This public declaration of political opposition to federal law enforcement immediately raised serious concerns.
Federal officials responded swiftly. Michael Lynch, a deputy administrator with the General Services Administration (GSA), sent a formal letter to 7-Eleven’s COO, demanding answers. The letter requested details of any internal investigation into the incident and its potential impact on a crucial government partnership.
The GSA’s Fleet Card program, utilized by agencies like the Department of Homeland Security, allows federal vehicles to purchase fuel and essential services at participating stations. 7-Eleven’s widespread acceptance of this card – at 95% of U.S. fuel stations – makes it a vital partner for government operations.
Lynch’s letter emphasized the potential disruption to federal fleets if agents were denied service based on their employment. The GSA questioned whether federal vehicle operators could reliably access necessary fuel and services at 7-Eleven locations nationwide.
This wasn’t an isolated event. Similar incidents had been reported in the Minneapolis area, signaling a growing trend of businesses refusing service to immigration and border enforcement officials based on political beliefs. A Hampton Inn was previously removed from the GSA’s approved lodging list after a similar denial of service.
Even a McDonald’s restaurant displayed a sign explicitly stating that ICE and CBP agents were unwelcome, though corporate leadership later intervened to have it removed. These actions highlighted a concerning pattern of businesses allowing personal politics to interfere with providing services to federal employees.
The GSA made it clear that 7-Eleven’s cooperation was critical. A prompt response would determine whether the agency would take action, potentially jeopardizing the lucrative Fleet program partnership. The agency stressed the importance of reliable service for federal fleets and valued partnerships with supportive merchants.
The situation underscored a growing tension between businesses expressing their political views and their obligations to serve the public, including those who enforce federal law. The outcome of the GSA’s inquiry held significant implications for 7-Eleven and the future of its relationship with the federal government.
