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President Donald Trump made good on his promise to protect the tradition of the annual Army-Navy football game, signing the “Preserving America’s Game” executive order during the Midshipmen’s visit to the White House on Friday.
Navy defeated Army in a thrilling 17-16 victory to win the Commander-in-Chief Trophy in December during a historic season in which the program finished 11-2, marking the team’s first consecutive 10-win seasons in program history.
President Donald Trump holds a helmet as he speaks during the presentation of the Commander in Chief Trophy 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)
The champions were honored with a visit to the White House, during which Trump signed the executive order months after signaling his intentions to fight the expansion of the College Football Playoff.
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“The annual Army-Navy game is truly one of the most special occasions in all of sports, but in recent years, the expansion of the College Football Playoff has encroached on this sacred four-hour space traditionally reserved for Army-Navy,” the president said during his speech Friday.
“I’m signing an executive order to ensure that the second Saturday in December is preserved exclusively. No one will be playing football (not Ohio State against Notre Dame, not LSU against Alabama). No one will be playing football for four hours during that special time of year in December. It will be preserved forever for the Army-Navy game.”
Trump joked that the ramifications of signing the executive order could result in a lawsuit.
President Donald Trump holds a signed executive order during the presentation of the Commander in Chief Trophy 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)
“Of course, they’ll probably sue us at some point. They’ll sue us, but we won those lawsuits and we’ll win this one.”
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“It is an honor to do so because it is a very important tradition of our country,” the president continued. “Actually, it goes beyond football. It is a tradition of our country.”
The executive order states that “no college football game, specifically college football CFP or other postseason games, shall be broadcast in a manner that directly conflicts with the Army-Navy game.”
Navy head coach Brian Newberry echoed the president’s comments after the order was signed.
“Thank you for signing that executive order and protecting the sanctity of the Army-Navy game. It is a game with soul and deserves to be protected. Thank you very much.”
President Donald Trump signs an executive order during the presentation of the Commander in Chief Trophy 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 signaled his intentions to sign the executive order in a Truth Social post in January, saying at the time, “This incredible Tradition is now at risk of being sidelined for more college playoff games and big TV money. NOT ANYMORE!”
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The president has taken a special interest in college football during his second term. Earlier this month, he held a roundtable with prominent officials, including NCAA President Charlie Baker, former Alabama football coach Nick Saban, New York Yankees president Randy Levine, and each of the Power Four commissioners, among others.
The group met to examine solutions to key challenges, including NCAA authority, name, image and likeness (NIL) issues, collective bargaining and governance concerns.
