Key Points Summary: CBS star restaurant targeted
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CBS star’s husband Geoff Tracy’s restaurant targeted by ICE
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Chef Geoff’s among multiple DC eateries hit in raids
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No arrests made during 90-minute investigation
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Millie’s and at least seven other restaurants also visited
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DC Mayor slams surprise inspections as disruptive
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Trump administration pushes aggressive deportation policy
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ICE offers $1,000 to migrants who self-deport
Chef Geoff’s Caught in Immigration Crackdown
The heat is on in Washington. On Tuesday morning, ICE agents stormed several upscale restaurants in the nation’s capital. Chef Geoff’s, owned by CBS anchor Norah O’Donnell’s husband Geoff Tracy, found itself at the center of the chaos.
At 10:30 a.m., nearly a dozen federal agents arrived at the popular spot on New Mexico Avenue. Their mission was clear. They spent about 90 minutes demanding to see I-9 forms, the documents used to verify employment eligibility. Though no one was arrested, the message was loud and clear.
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Sources say ICE has ramped up efforts to remove illegal migrants, targeting businesses suspected of hiring undocumented workers.
Millie’s and More Eateries Hit
Chef Geoff’s wasn’t the only hotspot swept up in Tuesday’s operation. Millie’s, another trendy eatery, faced a similar surprise. Nine ICE officers arrived right as the lunch crowd prepared to flood in.
Owner Bo Blair pushed back politely. “They didn’t insist when we denied access to employees,” he told The Washingtonian. Still, the tension in the room was palpable.
By the end of the day, at least seven other restaurants — Officina, Jaleo, Santa Rosa Taqueria, Pupatella, Call Your Mother, and Clyde’s — reported ICE visits. Pupatella’s general manager Michael Jones described agents as “cordial,” but admitted it rattled staff and customers alike.
Norah O’Donnell’s Husband in Spotlight
Geoff Tracy, a respected DC restaurateur, stayed silent after the raid. However, his high-profile marriage to CBS anchor Norah O’Donnell added fuel to the media firestorm.
Photos of the couple from past public appearances resurfaced quickly. One image, from the American Songbook Gala, now symbolized the growing clash between celebrity life and hardline immigration enforcement.
While some restaurants were warned in advance, others received only verbal notice. Confusion and fear spread across the tight-knit hospitality community.
Mayor Bowser Slams ICE Actions
DC’s Democratic mayor Muriel Bowser voiced outrage. She blasted the raids as disruptive and unnecessary.
“This doesn’t look like targeting criminals. It looks like intimidation,” Bowser told reporters. She stressed the Metropolitan Police Department had no involvement in the federal action.
Locals echoed her sentiments. Many questioned why family-friendly eateries, not known for crime issues, were chosen as targets.
Trump’s Crackdown Goes Full Throttle
The raids did not come out of nowhere. The Trump administration has repeatedly vowed to intensify its immigration crackdown.
Just a day before the sweep, DHS unveiled a new incentive for self-deportation. Illegal migrants willing to leave voluntarily could now receive $1,000 and travel assistance through the CBP Home App.
“If you’re here illegally, self-deportation is the best and safest option,” DHS Secretary Kristi Noem said.
Restaurants Fear Fallout
Tuesday’s events left restaurant owners shaken. With summer tourist season approaching, many fear the raids will drive away customers and spark staffing shortages.
Several business owners called the ICE presence “heavy-handed” and worry about the long-term effects on their livelihoods.
Even supporters of tighter immigration laws said the sight of agents swarming popular spots like Chef Geoff’s sends the wrong message.
CBS star restaurant targeted: Tensions Still Boiling Over
As of Wednesday morning, no charges have been filed against any restaurants. However, ICE confirmed investigations will continue.
Meanwhile, debate rages online. Supporters of the raids applaud Trump’s tough stance. Critics call the operation an embarrassing overreach that unfairly punishes small businesses and working families.
For now, the Capitol’s food scene remains on edge. ICE raids, celebrity connections, and political fury have turned an ordinary Tuesday into one Washington won’t soon forget.