Trump and Vance to attend 125th army-Navy Game with controversial guests

President-elect Donald Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance will attend the 125th Army-Navy football game in Landover, Maryland, on Saturday, bringing with them some high-profile and controversial guests.

Trump will be accompanied by his nominee for Defense Secretary, Pete Hegseth, while Vance has confirmed on social media that Marine veteran Daniel Penny will join him at the game.

Penny recently made headlines after being found not guilty in the death of Jordan Neely, a homeless man who was placed in a chokehold on a New York City subway. The decision sparked significant debate, with many left-wing commentators criticizing the verdict, highlighting the ongoing tensions between issues of crime and mental health.

Hegseth, who is still facing challenges in securing his nomination for the key defense role, will also be at the game. His attendance adds an interesting dynamic, especially as Florida Governor Ron DeSantis is also expected to be there. At one point, DeSantis had been suggested as a potential replacement for Hegseth, although it remains unclear whether he will be sitting with Trump in a private suite.

Hegseth’s presence at the game is seen as a strong public endorsement from Trump, particularly as some senators have yet to commit to supporting his confirmation. The former Fox News host, who served in the Army National Guard and deployed to Afghanistan and Iraq, has faced allegations of misconduct in the past. He has denied accusations of mistreating women but reached a financial settlement with one accuser in 2017 to avoid a lawsuit. If confirmed, Hegseth has promised not to drink "a drop of alcohol."

In addition to Hegseth, former congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard, whom Trump has tapped to serve as director of national intelligence, is also expected at the game, along with House Speaker Mike Johnson. Like Hegseth, Gabbard faces significant challenges in securing confirmation for her new role.

Meanwhile, Vance took to social media to criticize New York City prosecutors for their handling of the case against Penny. "Daniel’s a good guy, and New York’s mob district attorney tried to ruin his life for having a backbone," Vance wrote on X. "I’m grateful he accepted my invitation and hope he’s able to have fun and appreciate how much his fellow citizens admire his courage."

Penny, 26, had been charged with manslaughter and criminally negligent homicide following the May 2023 subway incident, where Neely, 30, a homeless man with schizophrenia, allegedly threatened passengers while high on synthetic marijuana known as K2.

Trump attended the Army-Navy game as president in 2018, 2019, and 2020, and also made an appearance as president-elect in 2016. In contrast, President Joe Biden has never attended the game as president, though he did so while vice president.

This year's game has generated extra buzz, with both football teams enjoying successful seasons. Together, the Army Black Knights and the Navy Midshipmen have recorded 19 wins, and the winner of Saturday's game will take home the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy after defeating Air Force earlier in the season.