January 1, D.C. Diners Dodge Federal Crackdown Drama

Wyatt’s Take

• D.C. restaurants struggle as federal agents fill the streets and drive off customers.
• Business owners blame both aggressive enforcement and real crime fears for empty tables.
• Reservation numbers swing wildly, but trouble lingers as city policies shift.

Washington, D.C. restaurants are hurting as more federal troops and ICE agents patrol the streets, following President Trump’s crime crackdown. Owners say the law enforcement surge might have lowered crime, but it has chased off many customers.

Some business owners pin the blame on heavy immigration checks, creating fear among workers and diners, especially in immigrant communities. One local operator, Mauricio Fraga-Rosenfeld, claims, “The streets are completely empty. Workers are not coming to work because they don’t feel comfortable.” He says the ICE presence is the “problem” because they’re “harassing” immigrants, which drives people away.

Celebrity chef José Andrés recently wrote, “It’s a flat out lie that half the restaurants have closed because of safety… but restaurants will close because you have troops with guns and federal agents harassing people…making people afraid to go out.” Not everyone agrees. Bart Hutchins, who runs Butterworth’s, feels it’s mostly crime that scares folks, explaining, “Crime worries me a lot more than the National Guard hanging out in public parks.” He adds that people are just upset with “who’s fixing it, or maybe even how he’s fixing it.”

Despite Trump claiming D.C. dining is booming, reservation numbers tell another story. Bookings dropped 16% the day the crime emergency was announced, plunging as much as 31% two days later. A brief spike during Restaurant Week didn’t last, with only a modest rebound before numbers dipped again. Fraga-Rosenfeld reports a 30% drop in bookings at his spot. Rising costs and staff shortages add to the struggle.

The future is unsettled as the federal emergency order nears its end and lawmakers debate who should control crime laws in D.C. Some restaurants try creative ways to lure diners, but worries remain about lasting harm from these federal policies.

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Wyatt Matters

The heart of the country knows the value of community, safety, and good honest work. When outside forces disrupt local businesses, it’s more than numbers—it’s about neighborhoods and livelihoods that hold America together.

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