For years, D.C. Mayor Muriel E. Bowser has been on a mission to bring the Washington Commanders back to the District. The Democrat has partnered with a Kentucky Republican to secure control of the RFK Stadium land through Congress, culminating in a surprising unanimous Senate vote. This significant political maneuvering led to a historic $3.7 billion deal with Commanders owner Josh Harris, marking the largest private investment in a single project in the city’s history.
As the finalization of the stadium deal by the D.C. Council approaches, Mayor Bowser faces an unexpected challenge: President Donald Trump has inserted himself into this local matter. Over the weekend, Trump took to social media, urging the Commanders to revert to their former name, the Redskins, a term widely recognized as a racial slur against Native Americans. He hinted at potentially blocking the stadium deal if the team did not comply with his demands.
Mayor Bowser remained unfazed by Trump's comments, emphasizing her long-term commitment to the project. “I have worked for the better part of 10 years to get our part completed, including securing the land and negotiating a fantastic agreement,” Bowser stated at a recent news conference. When asked if a name change would affect her stance on the stadium deal, Bowser, who has previously expressed her personal disapproval of the old name, indicated that it would not, although she declined to elaborate further.
Despite Trump's social media declarations, he cannot unilaterally derail the Washington Commanders stadium deal. A federal law passed in December explicitly grants D.C. control over the RFK site and outlines the city's rights to develop a stadium there. Any attempt to prohibit the development would necessitate another act of Congress, making Trump's influence less impactful.
While D.C. holds administrative control of the land, the federal government remains involved in the planning process, particularly through the Department of the Interior and the National Capital Planning Commission. Any potential changes to D.C.’s control would only occur if the District violated laws or land restrictions, with a grace period of 90 days to rectify any issues.
Local leaders, including shadow senator Ankit Jain, have expressed confidence in the D.C. Council's ability to pass the deal, urging focus on advancing the project. Jain stated, “We should control what we can control to mitigate external pressures.” His sentiments were echoed by other council members who dismissed Trump’s comments as mere noise and distractions from the crucial negotiations at hand.
Trump's recent remarks raise questions about the future of the team name. Although he previously supported the Commanders’ return to the capital, he has shown nostalgia for the old name. In past comments, he mentioned that many people of Native American heritage appreciated the name "Redskins," illustrating the complexity surrounding this issue.
The National Congress of American Indians has publicly opposed any movement to revive names that demean Indigenous communities. Activist Suzan Shown Harjo, who has fought against the old name, expressed disappointment over Trump’s comments, suggesting that they distract from more pressing issues and perpetuate harmful stereotypes.
The name change to Commanders has been a significant shift for fans, with recent polling indicating a growing acceptance of the new name. While Trump's influence remains unpredictable, council members and local leaders are focused on the future of the stadium deal, emphasizing the need to keep negotiations on track. The D.C. Council's decisions will ultimately shape the future of the Commanders in the District, independent of external pressures.
As the situation unfolds, the collaboration between local government, team ownership, and community stakeholders will be crucial in determining the trajectory of the Washington Commanders and their new stadium at RFK.
