Famous chef Geoffrey Zakarian has refused to open a restaurant in  business magnate Donald Trump’s luxury hotel in the historic Old Post Office Pavilion in Washington, D.C., after the latter’s provocative statements about Mexican immigrants.

Geoffrey Zakarian, the chef and a partner at the Lambs Club and other Manhattan restaurants, was going to open a branch of his National restaurant in the new hotel. But on Thursday, he gave up on his project. “The recent statements surrounding Mexican immigrants by Donald Trump do not in any way align with my personal core values.” Zakarian said, The New York Times reports.

Beside’s Zakarian, the project was also abandoned by chef José Andrés, since more than half of his team is Hispanic, as are many of his guests.  Zakarian also said, “Zakarian Hospitality employs many immigrants from nations all over the world.”

Mr. Trump said in his speech in June that some Mexican immigrants bring drugs and crime to the United States, and some are rapists.  On Wednesday, the Republican National Committee chairman, Reince Priebus, called Mr. Trump and asked him to speak in more measured tones.

Geoffrey Zakarian and his parents were born in the United States, His ancestors emigrated from Armenia and Poland nearly 100 years ago.