President Trump remarked on Monday that restaurants in Washington, D.C., have been bustling for quite some time, despite reports indicating a rise in police actions.
During an Oval Office discussion with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, Trump expressed that his efforts to enhance security through federal involvement and the National Guard had made D.C. safer.
“The media claims I’m a dictator trying to seize control. But my priority is the safety of our citizens,” he stated. “People who haven’t dined out in D.C. for two years are finally enjoying meals again.”
Trump recounted the experience of a personal friend who felt secure enough to dine at a D.C. restaurant for the first time in years while Zelensky listened.
“Friends are reaching out to me, even some Democrats, saying, ‘We just had dinner for the first time in four years. Thanks to you, Washington feels safe again, and we did it in just four days,'” he shared.
He also mentioned another acquaintance whose son was dining out and commended the federal law enforcement presence in the capital.
“I asked him, ‘Did you think this was possible a year ago?'” Trump recounted. “He replied, ‘Not at all… what you did is remarkable.’
Data from Opentable indicated a significant drop in seated diners in Washington as Trump took control of the D.C. police and rolled out city security measures targeted at crime.
Starting August 11th, the number of diners in D.C. restaurants fell sharply compared to the previous year, plummeting by 16%, according to reservation statistics. By Wednesday, the decline reached 31%, and on Saturday, it was down by 20%.
At the Oval Office gathering, conservative commentator Brian Glenn shared his observations, having recently dined out in D.C. with Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.) and lightheartedly remarked about the situation.
