Operation Metro Surge Fallout

The Trump administration’s General Services Administration sent a Feb. 5 letter to 7‑Eleven COO Doug Rosencrans demanding details on an internal investigation and warning that a national GSA–7‑Eleven/Speedway fuel‑card partnership could be in jeopardy after a Minneapolis Speedway store allegedly refused service to U.S. Border Patrol Commander Gregory Bovino and other federal agents in late January. The GSA letter says the reported refusal appeared to cover both in‑store purchases and fuel bought with the federal GSA SmartPay fleet card, which is mandated for non‑tactical federal vehicles and accepted at about 95% of U.S. fuel stations. The confrontation, captured in a viral video by conservative activist Cam Higby, shows a manager telling Bovino, "I don’t support ICE, and nobody here does," and follows similar incidents in the Twin Cities where a Hampton Inn was dropped from the federal lodging list and a McDonald’s and local restaurants posted signs saying ICE and CBP agents were not welcome. GSA is also asking 7‑Eleven for its policies and training on accepting federal fleet cards as it weighs whether agents can reliably get fuel and services at its locations. The episode illustrates how national chains are being dragged into the backlash against Operation Metro Surge and ICE tactics in Minneapolis, and how the administration is willing to use federal purchasing power to pressure businesses that deny service to immigration officers.