Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth‘s office tried to stop US military from participating in the NFL’s first-ever game in France this Sunday before backing down at the request of the State Department.
As first reported by The Washington Post, Hegseth’s office moved to squash the involvement of US military personnel at Sunday’s New Orleans Saints-Pittsburgh Steelers game at the Stade de France north of Paris following protests and civil unrest in the French capital.
After President Donald Trump criticized the French response to the uprisings across the country, Hegseth tried to cancel military involvement, sources speaking on the condition of anonymity told the Post.
But as State Department officials told Hegseth’s office, according to the Post, US troops and civilians are not believed to be at a high risk of danger in Paris. What’s more, the State Department also argued there was diplomatic value in having troops at the game, according to the Post.
A spokesperson for Hegseth’s newly renamed Department of War (DOW) did not directly respond to a request to confirm or deny the Post’s reporting, but did offer a statement to The Daily Mail.
‘The Department is supporting the NFL game in Paris this weekend amid the ongoing riots and unrest,’ read the statement from a senior DOW official. ‘As President Trump has said, France is really in trouble. This decision was made by the Secretary’s core leadership team, not one person alone, and there will still be DOW support at the game.’
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth speaks during a round table with President Donald Trump
Players arrived in Paris while the streets continued to burn in a series of dangerous protests
Masked protesters stand next to burning bicycles amid clashes during a demonstration against the cost of living and rising fuel prices near the Place de la Republique in Paris
The Daily Mail also sought comment from the State Department. An NFL spokesman declined to comment.
US military personnel have been involved in other NFL games played outside of the country this season.
Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron have traded attacks over the ongoing protests, with the former claiming the issue stems from immigration.
‘I think maybe it’s looking like tomorrow is going to be a bad day in France. So you worry about it,’ Trump said Friday. ‘I would have said the NFL could have probably postponed that match.
‘That’s what happens when you go left. That’s what happens when you allow unlimited numbers of people into your country from very unfriendly countries.’
Macron has described Trump’s statements as ‘stupid.’
The NFL has refused to cancel the game, despite the protests over education and the cost of living in France. However, one Steelers fan event has been scrapped, according to a message sent to fans.
‘Following recent events in the Bastille neighborhood, and after careful consideration, we felt it appropriate not to move forward with the planned Steelers House fan event in Paris,’ a message sent to fans read.
‘Preparations for Sunday’s NFL Paris game at Stade de France continue as planned,’ it added, ‘with the NFL working closely with local authorities and partners on all operational and security matters.’
Nicki Ewell, NFL vice president for global events, said the decision was made by the club. She told The Associated Press at NFL House on Thursday that the NFL distributed the message to fans because they worked together to promote the event.
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New Orleans Saints wide receiver Bryce Lance (18) speaks during a press conference Friday
The game will take place at the Stade de France, which has been transformed into an NFL field
An Irish pub called O’Sullivans in the Bastille area had been advertising a ‘watch party’ for Sunday.
The Steelers, in a statement to the Associated Press, said: ‘The NFL, as they do for every game, including international games, is working closely with local authorities and partners on all operational and security matters. As stated by the NFL, there have been no disruptions or impacts at League sites.
‘As a precautionary measure, the Steelers designated bar that had been planned in Bastille – an area that has experienced recent disruptions – will not proceed,’ the team’s statement added.
On Wednesday, NFL commissioner Goodell said he had spoken with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio and that officials remain in contact with Parisian and French authorities.
‘We’ve made all the preparations,’ Goodell said. ‘Protests are not unusual in France, as you know, and that’s something that we will be aware of and make sure that the appropriate arrangements are made.’
