The White House reacted to President Donald Trump's claims the NFL receives a tax break by slamming players who take a knee during the national anthem while in taxpayer-funded stadiums.
During Tuesday's White House press briefing, press secretary Sarah Sanders explained Trump's thoughts behind this tweet:
"While they may have given up their tax-exempt that status, it's been well documented that billions of tax dollars continue to subsidize renovation and building of sports stadiums," Sanders said. "If they are going to use money to build the fields they play on, is it too much to ask that they show respect for the American flag at the beginning of the game?"
Amid the barrage of follow-up questions that followed, Sanders took one from a reporter who asked if it was appropriate for Vice President Mike Pence to travel to Indianapolis on taxpayer money to attend a Colts game Sunday, only to leave a short time later after some players did not stand during the national anthem.
"It's appropriate that the vice president was invited; he attended that game," Sanders said. "I think it's always appropriate for the leaders of our country to stand up for the national anthem, to stand up for our flag, and to stand up for the men and women who fought and died for it."
NFL commissioner Roger Goodell sent a letter to all 32 teams Tuesday that asked all players to stand during the national anthem instead of kneeling in protest.
The anthem protests began last year as a way for a handful of players to call out perceived injustices and police brutality.
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