Village Says Ice Cream Shop's Pro-Trump Sign 'Illegal': Reports

PORT JEFFERSON, NY — Roger's Frigate, an ice cream parlor in Port Jefferson, hung a sign reading "In Trump We Trust" when the impeachment trial of President Donald Trump began last week in the Senate. The hanging of the sign at the 99 Main St. spot has caused controversy and stirred debate, as well as potential legal action.

The sign could have financial repercussions for George Wallis, the store's owner. Port Jefferson Village officials say the sign was hung illegally, and Wallis was ordered to take the sign down last week or face a $2,000 fine each day, officials told Newsday.

Village officials say the sheer size of the sign violates Village code, News 12 Long Island reported.

"It's not necessarily what the sign says," Village Mayor Margot Garant told News 12. "It's basically the size and substance of the banner itself. It's an illegal sign."

Roger Rutherford, the store's general manager, spoke to Newsday on behalf of Wallis and told the outlet the banner will remain on Roger's Frigate until the U.S. Senate finishes its impeachment trial of Trump — even if the Village orders it removed. A summons could be issued for Wallis at any time, as Port Jefferson officials were drafting it Wednesday, according to Newsday.

"Mr. Wallis feels he is being personally attacked for his free speech, and that in itself makes him want to put up the sign a little longer," Rutherford told Newsday.

Roger's Frigate previously displayed the "In Trump We Trust" sign when the president was inaugurated in January 2017, TBR News Media reported. An "order to remedy" was sent to the business due to the banner violating Village code, Barbara Sakovich, a representative from Village Mayor Margot Garant’s office, told TBR in 2017. A few days later, the sign was taken down.

Wallis has yet to budge this go-around, though. The sign has caused reactions among the community as mixed as an ice cream swirl.

With over 20.4K votes on a poll made by Facebook page Long Island, New York, 44 percent say they would "continue to frequent" the ice cream shop, while 56 percent said they wouldn't.

What do you think of the situation? Sound off in the comments.