Pro-military cafe owner tells Biden supporters to take their business elsewhere after US service members are killed in Afghanistan
A restaurant owner in DeBary, Florida, is telling supporters of President Joe Biden to take their business elsewhere following the administration's botched withdrawal from Afghanistan, which has resulted in the deaths of several U.S. service members and has left hundreds of American citizens stranded inside the Taliban-controlled country.
A sign displayed on the restaurant's front door reads: "If you voted for and continue to support and stand behind the worthless, inept and corrupt administration currently inhabiting the White House that is complicit in the death of our servicemen and women in Afghanistan, please take your business elsewhere. God bless America and God bless our soldiers."
DeBary Diner owner Angie Ugarte told WOFL-TV on Monday that she posted the sign the same day that 13 U.S. service members were killed in a terrorist attack at the Hamid Karzai International Airport in Kabul, Afghanistan.
"It was the only thing I felt like I could do," Ugarte said.
"I was just angry. I was just let down. I felt like one of those mothers, or wives, or sisters who were gonna get that knock on the door," she explained.
The local news outlet reported that Ugarte isn't worried about losing more customers; she is worried about losing more lives in Afghanistan.
"If you really, really still stand behind what's allowed this to happen and the way it happened — which was unnecessary — then I really don't want to be associated with you in any way and I certainly don't want your business," said Ugarte, who has been operating the restaurant for about 5 years.
The owner noted that many of her regular customers are U.S. military veterans. Inside the restaurant, Ugarte has an entire wall dedicated to their service.
"Our Local Heroes," reads a placard on the wall. Below it are flags, stars and stripes decor, military insignia, and photos of service members.
Ugarte told WOFL on Monday that her message to Biden supporters has received mixed reviews, but she insisted on keeping it up for now.
"I've had people come to the door and look at it and turn around and walk away. And I've had people come into the kitchen while I'm cooking and say, 'Hey, I love your sign,'" she said.
A Google search of the diner Tuesday afternoon, however, showed that her message was resonating with local residents. Google's wait time forecast indicated the restaurant was much "busier than usual."