<p><a href="http://dailywire.com/topic/starbucks">Starbucks</a> CEO Howard Schultz blasted the leadership of Democrat-run cities for abdicating their duty to address <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/crime">crime</a> and <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/homelessness">homelessness</a> after the chain shut down several stores due to safety concerns.</p>
<p>The coffee chain <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/starbucks-closes-multiple-coffee-shops-in-democrat-run-cities">said</a> in a Monday memo that it would shutter 16 stores in major metropolitan areas, including <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/seattle">Seattle</a>, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/los-angeles">Los Angeles</a>, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/portland">Portland</a>, Oregon, <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/philadelphia">Philadelphia</a>, and <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/washington-d-c">Washington</a>, D.C.</p>
<p>In videos of an alleged internal company meeting obtained by The Post Millennial editor Ari Hoffman, Schultz argued that “America has become unsafe” and noted that the stores facing closures are nevertheless “not unprofitable.”</p>
<p>“It has shocked me that one of the primary concerns that our retail partners have is their own personal safety,” Schultz said of conversations with employees. “And then we heard the stories that go along with it about what happens in our bathrooms, the issue of mental illness, the issue of homelessness, and the issue of crime.”</p>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">EXCLUSIVE: Today at an internal meeting CEO Howard Schultz said: &#8220;Starbucks is a window into America&#8230; we are facing things in which the stores were not built for&#8230; we&#8217;re listening to our people and closing stores, &amp; this is just the beginning. There are gonna be many more. 🧵 <a href="https://t.co/E9ayQqSmB8">pic.twitter.com/E9ayQqSmB8</a></p>
<p>— Ari Hoffman (@thehoffather) <a href="https://twitter.com/thehoffather/status/1547308330929963008?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">July 13, 2022</a></p></blockquote>
<p>The cities of Seattle, Los Angeles, Portland, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C., have witnessed surging crime over the past two years. As of last month, Los Angeles and Washington were on pace to surpass their homicide totals seen in 2021, according to crime data reviewed by <a href="https://www.foxnews.com/us/major-cities-pace-pass-2021-homicide-halfway-2022">Fox News</a>.</p>
<p>Schultz, who also led the company from 1986 to 2000 and from 2008 to 2017, said that “there are going to be many more” closures. “Starbucks is a window into America,” he added. “We have stores in every community, and we are facing things … the stores were not built for. We are listening to our people and closing stores.”</p>
<p>The executive pinned the blame on political leaders who have failed to address issues contributing to urban decay.</p>
<p>“At the local, state, and federal level, these governments across the country, and leaders — mayors and governors, city councils — have abdicated their responsibility in fighting crime and addressing mental illness,” Schultz said, noting that his company is otherwise thriving. “Despite the challenges of COVID and post-COVID, and the changes in customer behavior… the demand for Starbucks coffee by our customers, domestically and around the world, has never been greater.”</p>
<p>Starbucks said on Monday that it would create new trainings for de-escalation and active shootings, adding that among the policies they may pursue are “modifying operations, closing a restroom, or even closing a store permanently” if safety is a persistent issue, then transferring employees to other nearby stores.</p>
<p>Many district attorneys have eliminated cash bail or neglected to prosecute shoplifters — actions which garner backlash for allowing criminals to continue dangerous behavior without consequences. Los Angeles County District Attorney George Gascón, for instance, faces a recall after more than 715,000 citizens signed a petition to begin the process, according to the <a href="https://www.latimes.com/california/story/2022-07-09/715-833-signatures-turned-in-to-recall-los-angeles-county-da-gascon-election-officials-say">Los Angeles Times</a>. The signatures still need to be verified by county officials before the recall can qualify for ballot placement.</p>
<p>Starbucks’ move to close urban stores comes as over 180 locations <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/starbucks-is-trying-to-take-away-gender-affirming-care-unionizing-workers-complain">seek to unionize</a>. Starbucks Workers United — a unionization effort led by Starbucks employees — <a href="https://sbworkersunited.org/#Partners-Becoming-Partners">says</a> they are attempting to “form a collaborative, creative, forward-thinking, justice seeking, independent organization that will allow us to advocate for ourselves.”</p>

<script async src="https://www.instagram.com/embed.js"></script>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script>
<script async src="https://www.tiktok.com/embed.js"></script><div data-widget-host="revcontent" data-pub-id="165152" data-widget-id="290588"></div><script src="https://delivery.revcontent.com/165152/290588/widget.js"></script>

‘America Has Become Unsafe’: Starbucks CEO Rips Politicians In Decaying Cities After Closing 16 Urban Stores

Bud Light Sales Continue To Plummet, May Soon Lose Status As Number-One Beer

‘Profoundly Christian’: Former Head Of Anglican Church Presses British Government To Endorse Assisted Suicide

Ben Shapiro Reacts To Debt Limit Deal, Hits Both Democrats And Republicans Over Spending Habits

‘The Chosen’ Defends Pride Flag Spotted On Set: ‘Let The Show Speak For Itself’

Chick-Fil-A Faces Backlash As Their Diversity Efforts Resurface, Other Woke Brands Take Beating

North Korea Sentenced Two-Year-Old To Life In Prison After Family Caught With Bible: State Department

News and Commentary

Business

Crime

Homelessness

Starbucks

A video goes viral showing a baby being refused his mother by two gay "dads". This is just the tip of the iceberg, which is why we will have an important discussion today about surrogacy. 

Hour 1

The Matt Walsh Show

Ep. 1765 - This Video Is One Of The Worst Things I've Seen In A Long Time 

The Strait of Hormuz officially opens for business (kind of), the Pope makes “shocking” comments on immigration, and President Trump promises UFO disclosure at TPUSA. 


The Michael Knowles Show

Ep. 1956 -  Pope Leo's "SHOCKING" Immigration Comments EXPLAINED

A false miscreed has corrupted our leadership class.


The Andrew Klavan Show

Ep. 1275 - Dumb, Dumber and Progressive

President Trump announces a 10-day ceasefire between Lebanon and Israel, a murder-suicide involving former Democratic Lieutenant Governor Justin Fairfax shakes Virginia, and France and Britain hold a conference to secure the Strait of Hormuz – after the Iranian conflict ends. Get the facts first with Morning Wire.

- - -

Ep. 2738

- - -

Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3

- - -

Today's Sponsors:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text 'WIRE' to 83848 to learn more.

Pocket Hose - Text MORNING to 64000 to get a FREE pocket pivot and their 10-pattern sprayer with the purchase of ANY size Copper Head hose. Message and data rates may apply.

Morning Wire

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26

U.S. Expands Hormuz Blockade & VA Fairfax Deaths Investigated | 4.17.26 [Member Exclusive]

A ceasefire goes into effect between Israel and Lebanon, a tragic murder-suicide rocks Virginia, and Dairy Queen deploys AI in the drive-thru. Get the facts first with Evening Wire.
- - -
Ep. 2737
- - -
Wake up with new Morning Wire merch: https://bit.ly/4lIubt3 
- - -
Today’s Sponsor:

Alliance Defending Freedom - Visit https://JoinADF.com/WIRE or text “WIRE” to 83848 to learn more.


Evening Wire: Lebanon Ceasefire Begins & Murder-Suicide Rocks VA | 4.16.26

The Pendragon Cycle

Menu

— News and Commentary —

‘America Has Become Unsafe’: Starbucks CEO Rips Politicians In Decaying Cities After Closing 16 Urban Stores