President Donald Trump
President Donald Trump Photo by Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

President Donald Trump attempted to project strength in Washington, D.C. on Tuesday night by sitting down for dinner at Joe's Seafood, Prime Steak & Stone Crab, his first meal in Washington outside of the White House during his second term.

However, what was supposed to be a show of confidence quickly turned into another public confrontation. Protesters stormed into the restaurant, turning a carefully staged appearance into a viral clash.

According to CNN, Trump was joined by Vice President J.D. Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. For years, he had avoided dining in the capital, rarely leaving the safety of his properties. His decision to eat at Joe's was intended to highlight the results of his crime offensive in the city, where federal agents and National Guard troops have carried out thousands of arrests and swept through dozens of encampments.

As the motorcade arrived, onlookers outside shouted "F*** you" and booed loudly. Inside, initially Trump was met with applause, as it can be seen in social media videos.

"We have a safe city, so that's good. Enjoy yourself. You won't be mugged going home," Trump said.

But then the disruption escalated. Activists burst into the dining room repeating their chant:

"Free D.C., free Palestine, Trump is the Hitler of our time."

Diners looked on as the president paused mid-stride, stared into a camera with a grin, and signaled his security detail. "Come on," he said, before Secret Service agents began escorting the group out. One protester shouted, "He's not welcome in D.C.," while others in the restaurant booed back at the demonstrators.

The antiwar group Code Pink later confirmed it had organized the action. Co-founder Medea Benjamin said the demonstration was a response to Trump's policies at home and abroad. "They feast while Gaza starves," she wrote, adding that the chants were meant to expose what activists see as hypocrisy in celebrating law and order while waging wars and cracking down on communities.

The dinner came just 48 hours after Trump appeared at the U.S. Open final in New York, where his image on the big screen drew one of the loudest reactions of the tournament. Fans erupted in boos, with some chanting against him in the stands, while broadcasters reportedly tried to mute the sound for television audiences.

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