Trump Threatens to Stop Commanders’ D.C. Move—But Does He Even Have That Power?
The buzz around the Washington Commanders has hit an unexpected twist that feels straight out of a sports drama. The team, coming off a strong offseason with headline signings and trades, is looking toward a massive new stadium project on the old RFK site in Washington, D.C. But into the mix comes President Donald Trump, who made waves online by saying he might block that stadium plan. His words have rippled through football circles, political offices, and fan forums as people try to figure out if this is for real or another headline-grabbing moment.
Trump wrote on his social media platform that he could “put a restriction” on the team’s ability to build in Washington. The idea of a sitting president stepping into the details of a stadium plan sounds far-fetched, but the threat grabbed attention. City leaders had their own response, but made it clear that they are pressing ahead with the $3.7 billion project despite the online storm. Apparently, Trump’s threats are tied to an issue that has divided supporters of the team for years. But why does this even concern the commander-in-chief?
The Stadium Plan and Why D.C. Wants It
The Commanders’ ownership, led by Josh Harris, has worked for over a year on moving the team back to the District. The RFK site, only two miles from the U.S. Capitol, is prime real estate and carries decades of team history.
The agreement in place lays out a vision for a multi-use area with housing, retail, and a state‑of‑the‑art NFL stadium by the 2030 season. For D.C., this is not only a sports decision but also a massive economic project that would bring jobs and long-term growth.
Mayor Muriel Bowser has been vocal about the project’s readiness for the final steps. She spent years pushing for Congress to transfer control of the land, and that happened in a rare unanimous Senate vote last year. Now, the D.C. Council is working through final approvals.
Bowser publicly brushed off Trump’s comments and said her focus remains on completing the agreement that is already in motion. To her, the online threats are noise compared to the work that has been underway for nearly a decade.
What Power Does Trump Actually Have?
On paper, a president does not directly control whether an NFL team gets to build a stadium in Washington. The key power lies with the D.C. Council and the terms Congress already approved. However, politics has layers, and there are paths where Trump could slow things down.
Federal agencies such as the Department of the Interior still oversee some aspects of the RFK site, including environmental agreements. There is also the National Capital Planning Commission, a federal board that reviews large projects in the District, and Trump appointed half of its members.
Another tool that could influence funding is that D.C. operates under a unique system where Congress approves its budget. A hostile Congress could block funding tied to the stadium project, and with Republicans currently holding control of both chambers, that is not impossible.
Yet, any move like that would likely spark a political fight and court challenges. City leaders have noted that the President would need far more than tweets to stop construction on land now legally under D.C.’s authority.
Trump’s Issues: The Name Debate Reignited
Image via Unsplash/Natilyn Hicks Photography
For those wondering what got the President involved, it was the issue of naming. He wants the team to revert to its former name. In the summer of 2020, sponsors and Native American groups pressured then-owner Daniel Snyder into dropping the name. Years of lawsuits and campaigns argued that the old logo and name were harmful.
After a period as the Washington Football Team, the franchise landed on the Commanders name in 2022. Polls show mixed reactions, but local support has grown since the rebrand, with more than half of regional fans now saying they like the name.
Trump has not held back his dislike. His comments went beyond the Commanders, calling on Cleveland’s Guardians baseball team to revert to their old name as well. That added another layer to the public debate by drawing in groups like the Native American Guardians Association, which expressed support for Trump’s position.
Other Native voices quickly countered, calling any return to the old names a step backward. The clash of opinions keeps the subject lively, but it does not change the legal status of the team’s branding decisions. City council members have expressed varying degrees of concern over Trump’s words, but most are pushing ahead.
A Story Still Unfolding
Image via Unsplash/Mick Haupt
For now, the Commanders continue preparing for the new season at their current home in Landover, Maryland. The stadium push is moving through the last stages of approval, and construction would not begin until all agreements are signed off. Trump’s threat brought fresh headlines but has not triggered official action that would halt the plan.
Political experts note that to truly block the stadium, Trump would need to convince Congress to reverse the law that gave D.C. control of the RFK site or force an agency to find a legal breach significant enough to trigger a review. That is a high bar.
Sports fans are watching closely, and so are residents who see the stadium as part of the city’s future. The Commanders’ management has stayed silent on Trump’s latest remarks and is focusing instead on the team’s preparation and roster changes.