Suzannah Van Rooy, a server at Beuchert’s Saloon in Washington, D.C., was fired after publicly stating that she would refuse to serve any Trump administration officials, particularly those she believed were involved in sex trafficking or immigration policies she opposed.
She expressed her views in an interview with The Washingtonian, saying, “I personally would refuse to serve any person in office who I know of as being a sex trafficker or trying to deport millions of people.” She emphasized that her stance was based on moral convictions, not political party affiliation: “It’s not, ‘Oh, we hate Republicans.’ It’s that this person has moral convictions that are strongly opposed to mine.”
Van Rooy’s comments were part of a broader discussion about resistance to Trump administration officials in public spaces. She also voiced concerns about people becoming “defeated” or resigned to the administration’s actions.
Beuchert’s Saloon, after learning of her remarks, swiftly condemned them. The restaurant released statements calling her comments “reprehensible” and violating its “zero-tolerance policy on discrimination.” It clarified that Van Rooy, a part-time server, did not speak for the restaurant and that her actions did not represent the establishment’s values.
“Recent comments made by a member of staff who had no authority to speak on behalf of our entire restaurant have been, quite rightly, flagged as inappropriate, hostile, intolerant, and unacceptable,” the restaurant wrote.
The restaurant’s Friday statement went further, announcing Van Rooy’s dismissal due to her “unforgivable” behavior. It also noted that she had posted on the restaurant’s social media accounts without authorization, further breaching protocol.
“Her comments do not reflect the positions of over twenty other people who make up our staff,” the statement read. The restaurant emphasized that its staff remains committed to serving all customers with warmth and respect, regardless of political beliefs.
