President Donald Trump announced that Washington will host the 2027 NFL draft as he tries to revitalize the capital city.
Alongside District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser, NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell, and Washington Commanders owner Josh Harris, Trump described the announcement at the White House as advancing “the mission of making Washington, D.C., safe, and clean, and beautiful.”
“We’re working very closely with the mayor, and we’ve made a lot of improvements in the last few months,” Trump said Monday in the Oval Office. “Crime is way down, and … there’s a good relationship we have going with Muriel.”
Despite a tense relationship in the past, Bowser, like other leaders, has attempted to be on friendlier terms with Trump during his second administration, underscoring their similarities on matters including encouraging government employees to return to the office. The mayor also removed a Black Lives Matter mural from near the White House, references to the district being a “sanctuary city” from her website, and a homeless encampment from outside the State Department.
Monday’s photo opportunity coincides with the House of Representatives not passing legislation to address a problem with its continuing resolution that prevents the district from spending its own tax dollars as part of its budget.
It also comes days after the district and the Commanders announced their own plan to return the NFL franchise to the capital with a $3.7 billion redevelopment of the site of the old Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, replacing it with a 65,000-seat domed venue, 6,000 homes, and an entertainment precinct. That project, which still requires approval from the District of Columbia Council, is not expected to be completed until 2030.
On Monday, Trump said the NFL draft would be held on the National Mall, which can accommodate 1 million people.
“Every year, hundreds of young football players have their dreams come true as the NFL teams across the land select the best young players in America to join their ranks,” the president told reporters. “Hundreds of thousands of football fans will travel all across our country to cheer them on.”
“The draft is a celebration of one of our country’s most cherished cultural institutions, and the annual highlights for football fans everywhere,” he added. “Everyone in the world is going to be watching.”
TRUMP EXPECTED TO ANNOUNCE DC AS HOST OF 2027 NFL DRAFT
Afterward, Trump took questions from reporters on his proposals to reopen Alcatraz Federal Penitentiary and tariff foreign films and an AI-generated image of him as the pope that the White House reposted on social media.
“My wife thought it was cute,” he said. “‘She said, ‘Isn’t that nice?’ Actually, I would not be able to be married, though, that would be a lot.”