From Fox News: A string of recent incidents in which ICE agents and Department of Homeland Security leadership have been refused service at corporate gas stations and hotel chains has raised questions about whether private businesses can lawfully deny service to federal law enforcement officers.
The incidents — including ICE agents who were turned away from hotels and a Border Patrol commander being denied service at a gas station — have prompted debate over whether such refusals amount to lawful private discretion or illegal discrimination against federal law enforcement carrying out official duties.
The most recent flashpoint unfolded at a Speedway gas station, where video captured by conservative activist Cam Higby showed U.S. Border Patrol Cmdr. Gregory Bovino being followed out of the store by a man identifying himself as a manager.
Bovino himself was silent on the matter when asked by Higby among the crowd outside Speedway, while Deputy Homeland Security Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said similar situations had transpired at several different gas stations where agitators stalked agents.
Asked by Higby why he’d refused to provide services to Bovino, the man replied: “Because I wanted to. I don’t support ICE, and nobody here does.”
Speedway kicked Border Patrol Commander Greg Bovino and his agents out
“We do NOT support ICE, get off of our property!”
Do NOT support @Speedway. Don’t give them a penny!pic.twitter.com/GgGhZwJwRb
— Libs of TikTok (@libsoftiktok) January 22, 2026
Former Assistant U.S. Attorney for North Florida Zack Smith told Fox News Digital, “It’s shameful conduct to try to penalize men and women who are going out, day in and day out, seeking to enforce federal… law, seeking to penalize them and refusing to provide them services.”
“We’ve seen this in the past, particularly when a lot of emotions were high in the aftermath of George Floyd’s death in Minneapolis, in other places where individuals were refusing service to law enforcement.”
Read more at Fox News
The Dennis Michael Lynch Podcast archive is available below, with the most recent on top. Never miss an episode. Subscribe to the show by downloading The DML News App or go to Apple Podcasts.
