STORY: :: File
U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday told NFL team the Washington Commanders to change its name back to the Redskins, or face potential action.
The American football team dropped the name Redskins in 2020 after decades of criticism that it was a racial slur with links to the U.S. genocide of the Indigenous population.
The team moved its stadium from Washington to neighboring Maryland in 1997.
But earlier this year reached an agreement with the District of Columbia’s government to return to the city with a new stadium expected to open in 2030.
In a post on Truth Social, Trump said “I may put a restriction on them that if they don’t change the name back to the original “Washington Redskins,” and get rid of the ridiculous moniker, “Washington Commanders”. I won’t make a deal for them to build a Stadium in Washington.”
The president has, on other occasions, called for a return to the name Redskins…
:: Ken Blaze-USA TODAY Sports TPX IMAGES OF THE DAY
…as well as for the Cleveland Guardians baseball team to once again adopt the name Indians.
But Sunday was the first time he added that he could take official action.
Trump has limited authority to intervene under the current home-rule law governing federal oversight of D.C.
However, he has raised the prospect of taking more control, telling reporters in February, quote, “I think we should take over Washington, D.C.”
Representatives of the Commanders did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
