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By Jenna Sundel
News Reporter
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Social media users are alleging that Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino and other federal agents were denied service at a Speedway in Minnesota.
Self-described journalist Cam Higby wrote on X on Wednesday, "Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino DENIED SERVICE at speedway on Portland Avenue. I asked the Commander if this is illegal."
One X user wrote, "I smell a BOYCOTT incoming!" Another X user wrote, "Put them out of business."
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Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin told Newsweek: "Border Patrol agents who were in the Minneapolis—St. Paul area as part of a targeted enforcement operation were repeatedly harassed and blocked by hostile crowds while simply trying to take bathroom breaks.
"At each gas station where the agents stopped to use the restroom, groups of agitators appeared, yelled at them, stalked them, and even tried to prevent law enforcement vehicles from leaving, creating unsafe conditions."
Newsweek reached out to 7-Eleven, which operates Speedway, for additional information and comment.
The Speedway location on Portland Avenue declined to provide additional information when contacted by Newsweek.
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Why It Matters
President Donald Trump’s administration is carrying out a series of immigration enforcement operations in major cities. Protests have erupted in Minneapolis in response to the operations, which have resulted in two shootings by federal agents in the city in the span of one week.
Trump has threatened to invoke the Insurrection Act and deploy troops to break up continuing protests in Minnesota.
"If the corrupt politicians of Minnesota don’t obey the law and stop the professional agitators and insurrectionists from attacking the Patriots of I.C.E., who are only trying to do their job, I will institute the INSURRECTION ACT, which many Presidents have done before me, and quickly put an end to the travesty that is taking place in that once great State," the president posted on social media on January 15.
What To Know
McLaughlin said: "At one stop, individuals in the crowd threw food at the agents. At their final gas station stop, someone spit on an agent. When an agent moved to detain the person who spit on him, the crowd tackled and attacked the agents while surrounding them. To safely clear the area agents had to use crowd control measures to disperse the hostile crowd."
A video shared by Higby appears to show federal agents walking outside of a convenience store, followed by another man. The person recording the video asked the man if he worked there, and the man responded, "Yeah."
"You guys kicked him out?" the person filming asked.
"Yeah," the man said.
The person filming asked, "What’s your opinion on it? Why’d you kick him out?"
The man responded, "Because I want to. We don’t support ICE and nobody here does. Neither do I."
The person filming said, "So he’s not allowed service here."
The man said, "Nope. We don’t support ICE."
The person filming asked Bovino if it is illegal to deny service to federal agents, but Bovino did not respond.
The man said, "If it is, our president don’t care."
What People Are Saying
Conservative podcaster Benny Johnson, on X: "A Speedway in Minnesota REFUSES service to Border Commander Greg Bovino and his agents. EMPLOYEE: ‘We don’t support ICE and nobody here does.’ Disgraceful. This needs to be addressed and fixed immediately."
Conservative influencer Nick Sortor, on X: "Hey @Speedway, is it your policy to DENY service to federal law enforcement officers? You’re going to end up getting Bud Lighted. FIX THIS!"
Update, 01/22/26 09:22 a.m. ET: This article was updated with quotes from Tricia McLaughlin.
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