Trump dines out with Cabinet officials to demonstrate DC safety after crime crackdown

President Trump made a rare outing to a Washington, DC restaurant on Tuesday, dining out with members of his Cabinet at Joe’s Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab. This marks the first time the president has gone out to dinner in the district since the start of his second term.

During his dinner, Trump praised the success of his crime crackdown in the nation’s capital, declaring DC to be virtually crime-free now. He emphasized the improved safety of the city, which he claimed was one of the most unsafe in the country just a year ago.

Accompanied by Vice President JD Vance, War Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Trump encouraged residents to enjoy the city and its booming restaurants amid the drop in crime rates. He credited the National Guard and DC Mayor Muriel Bowser for their efforts in making the city safer.

Despite being greeted by both cheers and boos outside the restaurant, Trump remained unfazed by protesters inside the establishment who heckled him with chants of “Free DC! Free Palestine! Trump is the Hitler of our time!” The women were escorted out by law enforcement.

Following the dinner, Trump teased a forthcoming announcement about deploying the National Guard to another city, similar to the initiative in DC. He hinted at working with the governor and mayor of a certain state to address crime issues in a specific city.

This outing comes after Trump was questioned about his lack of visits to DC restaurants during his presidency. The president expressed interest in dining out more and enjoying the experience of going to a nice restaurant outside of the White House.

In the past, Trump has considered sending troops to cities like Chicago, Baltimore, and New Orleans to assist local authorities in combating crime. The success of the crime crackdown in DC has paved the way for potential similar initiatives in other cities across the country.