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President Donald Trump unveiled his pledge to protect the tradition of the annual Army-Navy football game, signing the “Preserving America’s Game” executive order during a visit to the White House on Friday.
Navy defeated Army in a thrilling 17-16 victory to win the Commander in Chief’s Trophy in December amid a historic season in which the program finished 11-2, marking the team’s first 10-game winning streak in program history.
President Donald Trump raises his helmet as he speaks during the presentation of the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy to the Navy Midshipmen football team in the East Room of the White House in Washington, District of Columbia, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
The champions were honored with a visit to the White House, where Trump signed an executive order months after signing his plans to fight the expansion of the College Football Playoff.
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“The annual Army-Navy game is truly one of the most important events in all of sports, but in recent years, the expansion of the College Football Playoff has encroached on this sacred four-hour slot reserved for the Army-Navy,” the president said during his remarks on Friday.
“I will sign an executive order to ensure that only the second Saturday in December is preserved. No one plays football – not Ohio State against Notre Dame, not LSU against Alabama – no one plays football for four hours during that most important time of the year in December. The Army-Navy game is preserved forever.”
Trump joked that the consequences of signing the executive order could result in a lawsuit.
President Donald Trump holds a signed executive order as he presents the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy to the Navy Midshipmen football team in the East Room of the White House in Washington, District of Columbia, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
“Of course, we’re probably going to get sued at some point. We’re going to get sued, but we win those suits and we’re going to win this one.”
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“It is an honor to do this because it is such an important tradition of our country,” continued the president. “It’s more than football, actually. It’s the culture of our country.”
The executive order states that “no college football game, particularly the college football CFP or other postseason games, shall be broadcast in a manner that directly conflicts with the Army-Navy game.”
Navy coach Brian Newberry echoed the president’s words after the order was signed.
“Thank you for signing that executive order and protecting the sanctity of the Army-Navy game. It’s a game with a soul, and it deserves to be protected. Thank you very much.”
President Donald Trump signs an executive order as he presents the Commander-in-Chief’s Medal with the Navy Midshipmen football team in the East Room of the White House in Washington, District of Columbia, March 20, 2026. (AP Photo/Julia Demaree Nikhinson)
Trump first hinted at his intentions to sign the executive order in a Truth Social post in January, saying at the time, “This Wonderful Tradition is now at risk of being sidelined for more College Playoff Games, and Big TV Money. NO MORE!”
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The president took a special interest in college football during his second term. Earlier this month, he held a roundtable discussion with prominent officials, including The NCAA President Charlie Baker, former Alabama football coach Nick Saban, New York Yankees President Randy Levine, and each commissioner of the Power Four, among others.
The group met to explore solutions to key challenges, including NCAA jurisdictional issues, name, image and likeness (NIL), collective bargaining, and administrative concerns.
Fox News Digital’s Ryan Morik contributed to this report.
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