‘The city is dead’: D.C. restaurant reservations drop amid federal crackdown

[Anonymous]

I have never been more disgusted in my life to be an American. This is all by design, the MAGA GOP is intentionally destroying small businesses, sources of fun and community in DC, all in revenge for Covid. When politicians had to make difficult choices to protect Americans, the MAGA GOP is literally killing the livelihoods of American business owners and entrepreneurs.

Who would have thought that armed, plain clothed secret police in unmarked vehicles terrorizing residents would be bad for business? Every single member of this administration and the thugs they employ need to go to prison ASAP.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/food/2025/08/19/dc-restaurants-business-down-police-crackdown/

Since President Donald Trump announced his takeover of the D.C. police force last week, restaurant reservations have dropped in the city by as much as 31 percent year over year for a single day, according to restaurant booking data. Business owners are concerned that the continued surge in law enforcement could impact their revenue during a vital period of the summer.

Several operators say the decline does not bode well for them or the 380 establishments participating in Summer Restaurant Week, which started Monday in the greater D.C. area. The bargain-dining promotion is considered a lifeline for restaurants hoping to survive the doldrums of August, when Congress is on recess, locals are on vacation, and many area residents are gearing up for back-to-school season. One of the goals with the promotion, says Shawn Townsend, president and chief executive of the Restaurant Association Metropolitan Washington, is to help the industry make it to Labor Day, when D.C. springs back to life.

This August has been particularly tough on D.C. restaurants, numerous operators told The Washington Post. They were already dealing with a number of destabilizing issues — rising labor and ingredient costs, soaring rents, federal worker layoffs, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement audits — when the president announced last week that he was sending in troops and federal agents to deal with a city where crime is “totally out of control,” despite local and federal statistics showing otherwise.

“It’s like drowning and then someone throws a 100 lb weight to you,” texted one D.C. restaurateur who asked that his name not be used because, he said, he was “just focused on keeping my businesses alive (this week).”

[Anonymous]

It’s disgusting. He’s destroying our city.

[Anonymous]

MAGA does not like cities.

[Anonymous]

for a single day

You want us to be outraged over a singular data point? These journalists should be ashamed for even writing this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:for a single day

You want us to be outraged over a singular data point? These journalists should be ashamed for even writing this.

You want to be outraged over out of context crime anecdotes. So.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:for a single day

You want us to be outraged over a singular data point? These journalists should be ashamed for even writing this.

It’s not just a single day. I have a family member who owns a very successful high-end restaurant in dc and business has significantly decreased in the past 2-3 months.

[Anonymous]

He’s a toddler, making a stink because DC made him look like a fool with his upside down bible.

Jose Andre’s made him look like a fool over and over again

He’ll take his ball and go disturb another city in a few days like a petulant child.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:for a single day

You want us to be outraged over a singular data point? These journalists should be ashamed for even writing this.

It’s not just a single day. I have a family member who owns a very successful high-end restaurant in dc and business has significantly decreased in the past 2-3 months.

The article IS comparing a single day. We aren’t talking about your family we’re talking about the article OP posted.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:for a single day

You want us to be outraged over a singular data point? These journalists should be ashamed for even writing this.

It’s not just one day, dear.

https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/dc/reservations-plunge-across-dc-restaurants-after-president-donald-trumps-police-takeover-summer-restaurant-week-district-open-table/65-e83cc2e7-a921-401a-ba35-960c77f8da14

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:for a single day

You want us to be outraged over a singular data point? These journalists should be ashamed for even writing this.

Trump is outraged over one attempted unarmed carjacking where MPD immediately intervened and caught the perpetrators, so…?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:for a single day

You want us to be outraged over a singular data point? These journalists should be ashamed for even writing this.

It’s not just one day, dear.

https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/dc/reservations-plunge-across-dc-restaurants-after-president-donald-trumps-police-takeover-summer-restaurant-week-district-open-table/65-e83cc2e7-a921-401a-ba35-960c77f8da14

Seriously? You really need to read things better.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:for a single day

You want us to be outraged over a singular data point? These journalists should be ashamed for even writing this.

It’s not just one day, dear.

https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/dc/reservations-plunge-across-dc-restaurants-after-president-donald-trumps-police-takeover-summer-restaurant-week-district-open-table/65-e83cc2e7-a921-401a-ba35-960c77f8da14

Seriously? You really need to read things better.

It’s not Peter Baker’s data, it’s WUSA’s. You aLao need to read things better and learn the difference between writing an article and reposting someone else’s. And it’s a straight comparison of the same dates last year vs. this year.

[Anonymous]

I'll be far MORE likely to head to DC for Restaurant Week than I normally would.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:for a single day

You want us to be outraged over a singular data point? These journalists should be ashamed for even writing this.

It’s not just one day, dear.

https://www.wusa9.com/article/news/local/dc/reservations-plunge-across-dc-restaurants-after-president-donald-trumps-police-takeover-summer-restaurant-week-district-open-table/65-e83cc2e7-a921-401a-ba35-960c77f8da14

Guess you missed this.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'll be far MORE likely to head to DC for Restaurant Week than I normally would.

Ditto