Kathrine Frich
US President Donald Trump faced an unexpected protest while dining at Joe’s Seafood, just blocks from the White House.
US President Donald Trump faced an unexpected protest while dining at Joe’s Seafood, just blocks from the White House.
Trump booed at Washington restaurant
As he arrived with top officials, including Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Vice President JD Vance, he was met by demonstrators.
A group of women waving Palestinian flags shouted slogans as the president entered the venue.
Protesters chant “Free Palestine!”
The incident unfolded at the entrance to the restaurant, where the women surprised Trump with loud calls of “Free Palestine!”
They also accused him of being sympathetic to Israel’s military actions in the Middle East.
The sudden outburst briefly disrupted Trump’s arrival, though security quickly contained the situation.
“Hitler of our times”
As Trump greeted restaurant staff, protesters heckled him with another sharp chant.
They shouted, “Trump is the Hitler of our times,” directly confronting the president
Trump chose not to respond and continued inside to join his dinner party.
Security message behind the outing
The meal was part of Trump’s wider effort to highlight his security agenda in Washington, D.C.
He recently took direct federal control of the capital, claiming it has reduced crime.
Reporters had asked him when he would dine out again, and he said it was “a great idea.”
National Guard in Washington
On August 11, Trump ordered the National Guard to assume authority over the Metropolitan Police Department.
Since then, the White House has reported nearly 2,200 arrests in the city.
Most of these arrests, officials admitted, involved relatively minor crimes such as weapons possession or traffic violations.
Bolstering a narrative of control
The president has tied such public outings to his claim that security has improved under his command.
He has repeatedly argued that his deployment of troops has made streets safer for ordinary citizens.
Critics, however, see the moves as heavy-handed and politically motivated.
Deployments beyond Washington
Trump’s use of the National Guard has not been limited to the capital.
In June, he sent units to Los Angeles, citing concerns about crime and unrest.
He has also threatened similar measures in Baltimore, New Orleans, and Chicago.
