The NFL sends a message to Trump

The 2027 NFL Draft will take place in Washington, D.C.—home of the Commanders and the seat of the U.S. federal government, currently led by President Donald Trump. For the first time in history, the event will be staged on the National Mall.

College players hoping to join the NFL will take the stage flanked by two of the nation’s most iconic landmarks: the U.S. Capitol and the Washington Monument, offering a striking backdrop to one of football’s biggest events.

Trump and Goodell in perfect sync

President Trump and NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell announced Washington as the host city during a media event held in the Oval Office. Also present were Commanders owner Josh Harris and Democratic Mayor Muriel Bowser.

The announcement notably avoided any reference to the controversies that have entangled Trump and the NFL in recent years—chief among them, the national anthem protests led by Colin Kaepernick and other players highlighting police brutality.

Trump will still be in office when the draft is held on the Mall, with his second term scheduled to end in January 2029.

This was the first time Goodell appeared alongside Trump during the president’s second term—a sharp contrast to the commissioner’s remarks on the eve of Super Bowl LIX in New Orleans. At that time, Goodell had publicly supported diversity and inclusion, shortly after Trump abolished DEI guidelines across federal agencies.

“Our diversity efforts have helped us make the NFL better. It attracts better talent. It makes us stronger to have different perspectives and backgrounds. It doesn’t matter if you’re a man or a woman, or a person of color—we benefit from that diversity. It will have a lasting impact on the league. We win on the field with the best talent and the best coaches. The same applies off the field,” Goodell said then.

Now, Goodell and Trump appeared in lockstep.

“I don’t think anything like this has ever happened before,” Trump said during the presentation. “We should use it for other things. It’s going to be beautiful—something no one else can replicate. Hundreds of thousands of fans will travel across the country to cheer on the players. The draft is a celebration of one of our country’s most cherished cultural institutions.” His speech later shifted to an anti-immigration message, highlighting his new “self-deportation” policy.

When it was his turn to speak, Goodell opened with, “Thank you for your support,” addressing the president in a reconciliatory tone. “It’s great to be coming home. The draft is one of the great events in sports and entertainment. Not only do we think it’s a fantastic venue, but it aligns with what the president said—investing in our community. We believe we can make a meaningful impact. We will show the world how far this nation’s capital has come,” the commissioner concluded.

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