Daniel Penny, the former U.S. Marine who was recently acquitted of murdering New York City subway driver Jordan Neely, spent Saturday meeting with President-elect Donald Trump and the United States at the annual Army-Navy football game in Maryland Rubbing elbows with Vice President-elect JD Vance.

The homeless black street artist’s death sparked outrage and calls for justice for homeless New Yorkers, while Penny – and some witnesses aboard the train – argued he was a danger to others on board. The former Marine held Neely in a fatal chokehold for more than six minutes.

“He just threatened to kill people,” Penny told Fox News host Jeanine Pirro. “He was threatened with going to prison forever, for the rest of his life.”

Penny became a heroic figure among Republican officials and in the right-wing media. After his acquittal, Vance invited him to the Army-Navy game.

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“Daniel is a good guy and the New York District Attorney tried to ruin his life because he has a backbone,” Vance wrote on X earlier this week. “I am grateful that he accepted my invitation and hope that he can have fun and appreciate how much his fellow citizens admire his courage.”

Donald Trump Jr. shared a photo of Penny with Trump and Vance with the caption, “Common sense rules again!!!”

On May 1, 2023, Penny held Neely in a chokehold for nearly six minutes and continued to hold him in a chokehold even as the passengers on the train exited and Neely became motionless.

Passengers were alerted when Neely reportedly began screaming on the train that he needed food, water, shelter and a job and that he was ready to die. He also reportedly threw trash at passengers.

The city’s medical examiner’s office concluded that Penny’s chokehold killed Neely due to neck compression.

After Neely’s death, Penny was charged with manslaughter and involuntary manslaughter.

Prosecutors dropped a more serious manslaughter charge after a Manhattan jury deadlocked on its verdict.

On December 9, he was acquitted of the remaining charge of involuntary manslaughter.

Both charges were felonies and carried a prison sentence.

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During his trial, a GiveSendGo fundraiser for Penny’s legal defense became the second-most successful campaign in the site’s history, raising more than $3 million, thanks in large part to right-wing support.

Meanwhile, protesters across New York City held events demanding justice for Neely’s death.

Neely’s family has since filed a wrongful death lawsuit, accusing Penny of negligent contact, assault and battery that resulted in injury and eventual death.

Neely, who had previously worked as a street performer and Michael Jackson impersonator, had a history of homelessness and schizophrenia. He had previously been accused of attacking people at subway stations, but on the day of his murder he did not touch anyone.

Penny joined several other new Trump administration officials and prominent Republicans in the incoming president’s suite.

Former Fox News host and nominee for Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth; proposed Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard; Speaker of the House Mike Johnson; new Senate Majority Leader John Thune; Pennsylvania Senator-elect David McCormick; and Elon Musk, CEO of Tesla and X, were also in attendance.