Latest news with #AnnaSpiegel
Axios
18 hours ago
- Politics
- Axios
MAGA eager for D.C. patrols to spread to other cities
President Trump 's MAGA movement sees his D.C. crackdown as being about more than just crime — it's an opportunity to deal another setback to liberals by expanding the movement in urban areas. Why it matters: Despite the protests over Trump's stunning show of force on D.C.'s streets, MAGA's most vocal voices believe that if the anti-crime push is successful — and Trump is certain to declare it so — it could win converts in cities and help expand the movement's rural base. "We have an opportunity to show city folks that life doesn't have to be this way," one senior MAGA media figure told Axios. "There are things you can do to control crime. This definitely could spread to other cities, simply by demand." Reality check: Trump's D.C. crime claims don't match the data. Violent crime is falling in the city, not rising, Axios D.C.'s Anna Spiegel reports. Plus, D.C.'s status as a federal city gives the president unique powers with the National Guard and federal law enforcement there. Any attempt by Trump to impose similar federal patrols in other Democrat-run cities likely would be met with the type of protests that Trump's immigration crackdown sparked in Los Angeles. Such a move against local control — which historically has been a top cause for Republicans — also could fuel a political backlash against Trump and MAGA at a time when the president is desperate to maintain GOP control of Congress in the 2026 midterms. And even in D.C., Trump's efforts are facing legal hurdles. A federal judge on Friday got the administration to back off replacing the head of city's police department with the head of the Drug Enforcement Administration. Driving the news: For now, MAGA is celebrating. Videos of homeless people's encampments being razed in D.C. and federal officers on patrol in the city are spreading like wildfire across right-wing social media accounts. MAGA-friendly podcasters are gleefully speculating about what other blue cities could get the same treatment. Cities Trump has slapped with the "high-crime" stereotype — Baltimore, Chicago, San Francisco and more — are being cited as logical next steps for federal intervention. D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser's office didn't immediately respond to a request for comment on how effective the crackdown has been so far, but Trump administration officials are releasing their own stats as part of a PR blitz. The big picture: Trump's movement is dominant across rural America. Now MAGA thought leaders want to activate "citycons," as podcaster Jack Posobiec said on his show Thursday — urban Americans supposedly pushed to the right by crime concerns, widespread homelessness, locked-up CVS shelves and local governments' struggles to stop crimes affecting the quality of life. "The Trump administration is showing that every part of urban decay that the public hates is a choice," MAGA activist Charlie Kirk posted on X. "If D.C. is clearly better, cleaner, safer, and more pleasant a month from now, what excuse will the left have for every other city in the country?" Between the lines: With or without the federal crackdown, crime rates are likely to be lower a month from now in D.C. and other cities. Zoom out: In the meantime, MAGA media is enjoying scenes from the D.C. crackdown.
Axios
2 days ago
- Business
- Axios
Iconic NYC bagel brand H&H will open in Chapel Hill
H&H Bagels is making its North Carolina debut with a shop in Chapel Hill's University Place opening later this year. Why it matters: H&H is a legendary New York City bagel brand with a huge following, and it's etched its place in pop culture with appearances in shows like "Sex and the City" and "Seinfeld." The big picture: H&H plans to open five locations in the Triangle, the News & Observer reported earlier this year. This is part of a larger Connecticut-to-California expansion the bagel-maker is planning. Dig in: H&H has been serving "artisanal water bagels" since the '70s. They're still kettle-boiled in the Big Apple with New York tap, and then baked to order on location, Axios' Anna Spiegel reported. A spokesperson told Anna that "the magic of New York City water" is all about its minerality — soft water makes for "tender" dough — neutral pH for ideal fermentation and consistency. Details: The Chapel Hill store will be at 239 S. Estes Dr., Suite 101, an H&H spokesperson confirmed to Axios. They declined to share additional locations, though a press release indicated Raleigh and Durham will also have H&H locations. The bottom line: The Triangle, a hotspot for relocated New Yorkers, has been growing its offering of high-quality bagel shops — from Benchwarmers in Raleigh to Isaac's in Durham to Brandwein's in Chapel Hill.
Axios
08-04-2025
- Business
- Axios
Test Drive: Ambar's unlimited Balkan food
A new Balkan spot in River North is set to reshape your conception of all-you-can-eat dining. Driving the news: Last week, the stylish, upscale Ambar opened its first U.S location outside the Washington, D.C. area at 700 N. Clark St. How it works: Diners pay $27.99 at lunch and $56.99 at dinner for unlimited small plates of more than 40 Mediterranean-style vegetables, dips, salads, grilled meats and seafood, along with hearty stews and flatbreads. You can add a beer or glass of wine for $7. On the plate: Our favorite bites included the mixed mezze platter with freshly baked bread, almond fried chicken on apple slaw, lamb flatbread, braised pork shoulder, roasted trout and piquillo pepper. Two of us were stuffed after 11 small plates. Inside scoop: Our Axios D.C. pal Anna Spiegel tells us that even though Ambar opened in 2013 "and the novelty has worn off a bit," it's still popular, "especially with the bottomless crowd." And by bottomless, she means all you can eat. Get your mind out of the gutter. The bottom line: Between the lovely, comfortable decor, attentive service and delicious food, I can see Ambar becoming a local fave with the city's large Balkan community and beyond.
Axios
31-01-2025
- Entertainment
- Axios
Your D.C. Weekend: Three restaurant weeks, Lunar New Year
Three DMV winter restaurant weeks are overlapping this weekend in the ultimate foodie Venn diagram. Restaurant hopping all weekend long ... while scoring deals on yummy food? Brb — we're grabbing our stretchy pants ... State of play: Metropolitan Washington Restaurant Week is currently underway at over 370 restaurants around the region and will run through Sunday. Nom-nivores can snag multi-course noshes for lunch, brunch ($25 or $35) and dinner ($40, $55, $65). And nearly 100 restaurants are offering drink pairings — and even some complimentary drinks (likely at brunch, a great deal in general). Overwhelmed by all the options? Fear not! Axios D.C.'s resident food guru, Anna Spiegel, shared her top picks with us. 🍔 Alexandria Restaurant Week begins Friday and will run until Feb. 9. The hungry can take their pick from over 90 restaurants offering prix-fixe dinner menus for $30, $40 or $50. You can also snag discounts at fast-casual spots like Capo Italian Deli and Toastique during the week. 🍝 Falls Church Restaurant Week also kicks off Friday and stretches until Feb. 9. Get your hands on a restaurant week passport and stamp off eight places for the chance to win a gift card. Food deals vary by participating restaurant, from acclaimed spots like Ellie Bird and Thompson Italian to casual finds like Turkish hit Borek-G. More fun things to do once you're sufficiently stuffed: 🐍 Celebrate Lunar New Year! There are tons of events this weekend (here's our full guide). A sampling: The Fried Rice Collective celebrates Lunar New Year with a collaborative dinner on Capitol Hill Friday with a bunch of top chef talents (reservations $90), or a Lunar New Year tea service on Sunday (1pm and 3pm, $65 reservations). The National Museum of Asian Art hosts two events on Saturday: a free family festival (1-3pm, register here) and a night market held at the Arts + Industries building (3-7pm) with tons of food vendors and makers. The annual DC Chinese Lunar New Year Parade travels through Chinatown on Sunday at 2pm with costumed dancers and a lively firecracker finale. 🚗 For motor enthusiasts, The Washington, DC Auto Show parks itself at the Convention Center, Friday through Feb.9 (tickets $8-$21). 🌳 Last call: The bonsai " Winter Silhouettes" exhibit at the National Arboretum closes Sunday (10am-4pm, free).
