Army-Navy games usually happen when there are no other viewing options. The Commander-in-Chief wants to keep it that way.
pass washington postPresident Trump Sign executive order Friday’s game is designed to keep the annual rivalry between the nation’s two top military academies within an exclusive window.
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“No one plays football for four hours during that very special time of year, December,” Trump said. “It will be preserved forever for the Army vs. Navy game.”
The concern is that potential expansion of the College Football Playoff could impact Army and Navy turf. However, the executive order may not be enforceable.
“Of course, we may be sued at some point,” Trump said.
While we greatly appreciate the commitment and accomplishments of those admitted to the United States Service Academies, it seems a little un-American to create artificial barriers to fair competition for our viewers. You know, meritocracy.
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Why protect the Army vs. Navy game from other football games that viewers find more entertaining? Why essentially tell viewers “if you want to watch a football match during this window, this is your only option”?
Even if an executive order cannot withstand a legal challenge, someone has to be willing to mount the fight. That could mean that Trump stands ready to get it done, whether by pulling in one or more of the various government discretionary powers at his disposal or by launching a late-night offensive that Thank you for your attention to this matter Attacks on social media.