A conservative influencer wearing a MAGA hat was forcibly removed from a Washington state Panda Express after employees called police on him for giving a thumbs-up gesture to a cook, despite authorities later confirming he broke no laws.
Restaurant Staff Ejects Customer Over Political Hat
Conservative influencer Chris Sims entered a Panda Express location in Lakewood, Washington on May 10 wearing a Make America Great Again hat. According to Fox News, which confirmed the incident, Sims was livestreaming his visit when he noticed restaurant staff reacting negatively to his headwear. When a cook stared at him continuously, Sims gave the employee a thumbs-up gesture. Staff immediately ordered Sims and his companion to leave the premises.
Employees followed the pair outside and called 911, falsely claiming the customers refused to vacate the property. Multiple staff members confronted Sims on the public sidewalk, attempting to stop him from recording. The responding Lakewood police officers determined Sims and his friend committed no violations and informed restaurant staff accordingly. One employee who placed the emergency call reportedly cried and returned inside after learning no crime had occurred.
Company Issues Statement After Political Discrimination Incident
Panda Express corporate headquarters responded to the controversy with a statement emphasizing their commitment to welcoming all customers. The restaurant chain told Fox News the situation was addressed at the local level and that management reinforced training on delivering consistent, respectful service to every guest. The statement did not specify what disciplinary action, if any, was taken against the employees involved. Police indicated restaurant leadership would need to handle the staff’s conduct internally.
Pattern of Political Discrimination Against Conservatives
This incident represents another example of Americans facing discrimination in public accommodations based solely on political expression. Business owners and employees have increasingly confronted customers wearing MAGA apparel, despite such political speech being protected under the First Amendment. The Lakewood case proved particularly egregious as staff not only ejected paying customers without cause but also filed a false police report claiming the individuals refused to leave when they had already exited to the sidewalk. The episode highlights growing concerns about whether Americans can freely express political views without facing retaliation in commercial establishments.
What a sad world we are living in at this time for that to have happened. Lots of sick and deranged individuals affected by TDS.
Yep. Those are the fascists. We are witnessing the dumbest generation of young people that’s ever lived.
The female employee who called 911 needs to be charged with abusing the 911 system.
Washington State laws may encourage communist ideologies, most other states will fine one for ABUSING the system.
People who qualify for the Duh factor abound everywhere including working for Panda Express, free speech for them but not for anyone else. I have no doubt that those employees are probably very intelligent, after all they figured out how to travel to the Sun – just go at night when it is off.
Lol
The employees that were involved should be fired NOW! Also all conservatives should boycott all Panda restaurants for a month. I for one wont go there again.
Good, I won’t run into you.
Another TDS igit
I feel, a lot of this rampant hate against conservative Americans is being fueled non stop by woke media and the liberal side of government: local, state & federal. Time to settle down, respect other people’s rights and chill out.
I think most the blame go to the news media and the crap they put out..
Hate changes all thoughts of reasoning. Have compassion and kindness towards all of mankind, no matter what your differences or beliefs are, Be respectful!!!
Panda Express food: Tried it once and found it totally bad.
I wasn’t that impressed either and that was in a different state.
It’s weird that the crazy leftists think it’s OK to riot and destroy property but expressing freedom of speech without hurting anyone or anything was a major violation. I hope they get cited for false police report. It would serve them right to be sued by the two MAGA guys for violating their freedom of speech. But that’s the Dems’ way, not the conservative way. To the two MAGA guys: Way to go!!! MAGA! WWG1WGA!
What we have here is the beginning to the end in every state across the USA…just wait & see how these types of news headlines become daily.
Those who have a true love of this country…you need to get active and fight back locally in politics and with money to educate these ignorant woke scumbags that the Democracy of this country will prevail…” SO HELP ME GOD”
My experience at Panda is that the food is bland and basicly tasteless at best and very over priced. Now that I see how these employees reacted I will avoid the establishment in the future!
AMEN. Thank God for conservatives. This country would have been buried if they had won. Keep them out of the government this November. God bless.
Washington state. Go figure! The armpit of the west coast! More liberal than many US states. Depressed by all that rain they get I guess. Pandas are from China. So it shouldn’t surprise me that the company is communist too.
Suite that particular location and the corporate entity.
This is the trump world. As a minority in this country, especially with the president we have now, When you’ve been so disrespected and discriminated against by this president and his aids, and you come into an establishment that is operated by minorities, ( no matter the name of the restautant) and you’re wearing apparel that represents that hatred, it’s only fair you get it back. Eye for an Eye, and what ever happened to men being gentlemen, take your hat off when your inside.
I am neither a Republican nor a Democrat, I am an American and I just want my country Back. For those who think sthings are so terrible here in the United Sttes – they should go and live elsewhere for awhile and see just how wonderful this country really is. It is true – “Freedom is not free! It is just as true that to keep it is not easy ….want proof – visit any VA hospital.
Sounds like a multi million dollar law suit to me.