Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth’s office attempted to block US military participation in the NFL’s first game in France this Sunday before reversing course following a request from the State Department.
The Washington Post first reported that Hegseth’s office sought to end US military involvement in Sunday’s New Orleans Saints-Pittsburgh Steelers game at the Stade de France, north of Paris, amid protests and civil unrest in the French capital.
Sources familiar with the discussions told the Post that Hegseth moved to cancel the military’s participation after President Donald Trump criticized France’s handling of the nationwide unrest.
State Department officials reportedly told Hegseth’s office that US troops and civilians were not considered to face a high level of danger in Paris. They also argued that maintaining a military presence at the game could provide diplomatic value, according to the Post.
A spokesperson for Hegseth’s newly renamed Department of War (DOW) did not directly confirm or deny the Post’s account when asked for comment, but provided a statement to The Daily Mail.
“The Department is supporting the NFL game in Paris this weekend amid the ongoing riots and unrest,” a senior DOW official said. “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 roundtable with President Donald Trump
Players arrived in Paris as dangerous protests continued to burn across the streets
Masked protesters stand beside burning bicycles during clashes at a demonstration over the cost of living and rising fuel prices near Paris’s Place de la République
The Daily Mail also requested comment from the State Department. An NFL spokesperson declined to comment.
US military personnel have taken part in other NFL games played abroad this season.
Trump and French President Emmanuel Macron have exchanged criticisms over the protests, which Trump has attributed to 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.
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“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 dismissed Trump’s remarks as “stupid.”
The NFL has decided to proceed with the game despite protests in France over education and the cost of living. However, a Steelers fan event in Paris was canceled, according to a message sent to supporters.
“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,” the message said.
“Preparations for Sunday’s NFL Paris game at Stade de France continue as planned,” it added, saying the NFL was coordinating with local authorities and partners on operational and security arrangements.
Nicki Ewell, the NFL’s vice president for global events, said the decision to cancel the fan event was made by the club. Speaking to The Associated Press at NFL House on Thursday, she said the league distributed the message because it had worked with the team to promote the event.
New Orleans Saints wide receiver Bryce Lance (18) speaks at 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.’
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