Trump brings political drama to Army-Navy sport sidelines

President-elect Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance will attend the annual Army-Navy sport in Landover, Maryland, on Saturday, and they’re bringing some visitors who’re certain to stir debate. 

In what would be the a hundred and twenty fifth assembly of the Black Knights and Midshipmen, a supply tells Fox that Trump is taking Defense Secretary nominee Pete Hegseth to the extremely anticipated soccer conflict, whereas Vance confirmed on social media that he can have Marine veteran Daniel Penny by his facet. 

Penny was discovered not responsible within the subway chokehold dying of Jordan Neely in New York City earlier this week, a call which was criticized by some commentators on the left and underscored a divide between crime and psychological well being.

DANIEL PENNY FOUND NOT GUILTY IN SUBWAY CHOKEHOLD TRIAL

Hegseth continues to be battling it out to safe his nomination for the highest protection function and the dynamics of his look will probably be fascinating given Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis may also be in attendance. 

DeSantis at one level was touted as a potential alternative for Hegseth, though it’s unclear if he will probably be seated with Trump in a set.  

Hegseth’s look will mark a really public declaration of assist from Trump, as some senators are nonetheless holding out on committing to his affirmation. 

Hegseth, an Army National Guard and former longtime Fox News host, deployed to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq and has been the main focus of misconduct experiences.

Trump’s defense secretary nominee has denied allegations that he mistreated girls however did attain a monetary settlement with an accuser from a 2017 incident to keep away from a lawsuit. He has vowed that he will not drink “a drop of alcohol” if confirmed as protection secretary.

Pete Hegseth, President-elect Donald Trump’s nominee to be Defense Secretary, provides a thumbs-up as he walks together with his spouse Jennifer Hegseth, left, to satisfy with Sen. Joni Ernst, R-Iowa, a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, on the Capitol in Washington, D.C., on Dec. 9, 2024. (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)

JD VANCE CONFIRMS DANIEL PENNY WILL ATTEND ARMY-NAVY GAME AFTER ACQUITTAL IN SUBWAY CHOKEHOLD TRIAL

Meanwhile, Vance took a swipe at New York City prosecutors for taking over the case in a submit on X confirming Penny’s attendance.

“Daniel’s a superb man, and New York’s mob district legal professional tried to wreck his life for having a spine,” Vance wrote. “I’m grateful he accepted my invitation and hope he’s in a position to have enjoyable and recognize how a lot his fellow residents admire his braveness.” 

Penny, 26, was charged with manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide for the May 2023 subway chokehold dying of Neely, a 30-year-old homeless man with schizophrenia who had barged onto the prepare shouting dying threats whereas excessive on a sort of artificial marijuana generally known as K2.

Marine veteran Daniel Penny will attend the sport alongside Vice President-elect JD Vance. (Rashid Umar Abbasi for Fox News Digital)

CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP

Trump attended the sport as president in 2018, 2019 and 2020, whereas he additionally appeared as president-elect in 2016.

President Biden has by no means attended the annual conflict as president, though he did seem as vp.

This season has been a banner yr for each soccer applications, including buzz to the annual rivalry match. The groups have a mixed 19 wins this yr and with victories over Air Force, the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy will probably be awarded to the winner of Saturday’s sport. 

Fox News’ Aishah Hasnie, Paulina Dedaj and Paul Steinhauser contributed to this report. 

The Navy Midshipmen and the Army Black Knights line up for the snap on the line of scrimmage in the course of the first quarter of an NCAA soccer sport at Gillette Stadium on Dec. 9, 2023, in Foxborough, Mass.  (AP Photo/Winslow Townson)