The Washington Commanders will host President Donald Trump on Sunday when facing the Detroit Lions, with a Salute to Service celebration planned despite the government shutdown
14:21 ET, 07 Nov 2025Updated 14:21 ET, 07 Nov 2025
Donald Trump will sit in Josh Harris's owners' suite during Sunday's game between the Commanders and Lions
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Donald Trump will sit in Josh Harris's owners' suite during Sunday's game between the Commanders and Lions(Image: 2025 Getty Images)
President Donald Trump will attend Sunday's NFL game between the Washington Commanders and the Detroit Lions to celebrate the league-wide Salute to Service initiative.
The Commanders host the Lions at 1 p.m. ET on Sunday, and Washington will honor veterans, active-duty service members, and their families at Northwest Stadium. On Friday, it was announced that Trump would attend the game and watch from the owners' suite.
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Trump has clashed with the Commanders this season over relocation plans, and the U.S. President has also called on owner Josh Harris to restore the former 'Redskins' branding. While a discussion could be held between Trump and Harris on Sunday, the initiative remains the priority.
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News of Trump's attendance was announced on The Pat McAfee Show, as McAfee said live on ESPN: "Sources are telling me that President Donald Trump will be in attendance for this Washington Commanders game in the afternoon against the Detroit Lions.
"He will actually be there to celebrate the veterans' celebration that's taking place at halftime. He will be sitting in Josh Harris' box, and he will be excited to celebrate the hell out of the greatest sport on earth, football."
The reports were quickly verified by the Commanders, who issued a statement. "We are honored to welcome President Trump to the game as we celebrate those who have served and continue to serve our country," Commanders team president Mark Clouse said.
Trump will attend the NFL game in support of the Salute to Service initiative
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Trump will attend the NFL game in support of the Salute to Service initiative(Image: 2024 Getty Images)
"The entire Commanders organization is proud to participate in the NFL’s league-wide Salute to Service initiative, recognizing the dedication and sacrifice of our nation’s veterans, active-duty service members, and their families this Sunday."
However, despite staging Salute to Service events, it's expected that military members will be missing from the celebrations due to the ongoing government shutdown. Beginning on Oct. 1, the shutdown has entered its 38th day, the longest in American history.
Republicans and Democrats could not agree on a bill to fund government services past Oct. 1, which is when the previous federal budget expired. As a result, service members have been prohibited from participating in "official outreach activities," which include NFL games.
The government shutdown has entered its 38th day, the longest in American history
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The government shutdown has entered its 38th day, the longest in American history(Image: Bryan Dozier/NurPhoto/Shutterstock)
That's according to The Washington Post, which contacted The Pentagon for more information. "Service members are permitted to wear military uniforms at Veterans Day events, in a personal capacity, as long as it follows their service-specific guidelines, and no official endorsement or involvement is implied by the Department," the Pentagon's statement to The Washington Post read.
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The outlet also confirmed that "demonstration teams, bands, ceremonial unit appearances, port visits, service weeks, and nonprofit and corporate leader outreach," which would have been funded, are unable to continue amid the shutdown.
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In light of the political standoff, the NFL insisted that its Salute to Service initiative would continue, and also stated that it wouldn't take place solely in November. Therefore, there's scope for a complete celebration if the government shutdown ends.
In a statement, Annaa Isaacson, the NFL's senior vice president of social responsibility, said: "While Salute to Service comes to life on-field each November — as it will again this year, starting this weekend — our long-standing efforts to support the military community continue throughout the year."