A New York City subway driver who was acquitted this week of killing a homeless man in a confrontation on a train is a guest of honor at a popular American sporting event along with U.S. President-elect Donald Trump.

Daniel Penny, who became a conservative celebrity singer, was pictured with Trump and Vice President-elect JD Vance at the Army vs. Navy American football game near Washington DC.

Before the game, Ohio Senator Vance said in a post on

A jury on Monday acquitted Mr. Penny of involuntary manslaughter for his fatal chokehold on Jordan Neely, a 30-year-old homeless man who had yelled at other passengers and asked for money last year.

The Army vs. Navy game is an annual event that marks the end of the college American football season and is the final game of the Commander-in-Chief’s Trophy series of the season.

It is one of the great American sports rivalries, representing fierce competition between two branches of the US armed forces.

In a photo taken on Saturday outside Trump’s suite at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, Mr. Penny was seen talking with Trump and Vance.

When Vance spoke about Mr. Penny’s acquittal earlier this week, he said this week

The new vice president added that it was “a scandal” that New York District Attorney Alvin Bragg even prosecuted the case.

Mr. Neely’s death and subsequent trial became a flashpoint. Some accused Mr. Penny of being a vigilante, while others defended him, arguing he was looking out for the safety of other passengers.

Mr. Penny’s lawyer, Steven Raiser, said in a statement that his client was honored by the invitation to Saturday’s game.

“He doesn’t see it as a political statement. He basically just sees it as an honor,” Mr. Raiser told Reuters.

“If a sitting president who was a Democrat had invited him to the Army-Navy game to show his support for the military and his country, he would have happily accepted.”

Also at the game were Pete Hegseth, Trump’s nominee for defense secretary, and Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, who was recently rumored to be in the running to replace Hegseth if Trump withdraws the offer.

Hegseth’s nomination has come under intense scrutiny due to questions about his qualifications and personal conduct.

Trump’s nominee for director of national intelligence, Tulsi Gabbard, his nominee for director of the FBI, Kash Patel, Republican House Speaker Mike Johnson and Trump ally Elon Musk were also in play.

Mr. Penny’s acquittal verdict earlier this week came after prosecutors agreed to drop a more serious charge of second-degree manslaughter because a jury in Manhattan could not reach an agreement.

He said he never intended to kill Mr Neely, who had suffered from mental illness in the past.

The subway incident in May 2023 sparked protests across New York and reignited debates about the safety of public transportation and how the city cares for people struggling with mental health issues and homelessness.

Attention now turns to a civil lawsuit filed by Mr. Neely’s father seeking damages for alleged assault and battery.

Mr Penny’s lawyer had previously described these legal actions as a distraction.