President-elect Donald Trump huddled with allies and a Republican cause célèbre at the Army-Navy football game at Northwest Stadium in Landover, Maryland, on Saturday, taking part in one of the most famous rivalries in college sports while shining a light on his rise National Security Team.

Navy defeated Army 31-13 on Saturday to take home the Commander-In-Chief’s Trophy, CBS Sports reported.

During the game, Trump sat in the box Senator-elect Dave McCormick of Pennsylvania and former deputy national security adviser Dina Powell McCormick. He was joined by the vice president-elect JD Vanceembattled Pentagon pick Pete Hegseth and others for the 125th duel between Service academies. Tulsi Gabbardwho Trump appointed as his director of national intelligence was spotted in the box.

Elon Musk, the billionaire tapped to become co-leader newly minted Department of Government EfficiencyHe was also seen with Trump.

Was there too Daniel Pennya military veteran who was acquitted of negligent homicide this week in the chokehold death of an agitated subway rider in New York. Penny was invited by Vance, who accused prosecutors of trying to “ruin” Penny’s life by charging the Marine veteran in prison Death of Jordan Neely in 2023.

Gen. Charles “CQ” Brown Jr., Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of StaffHe was also shown sitting with Trump. The Chairman of the Joint Chiefs is the country’s highest-ranking military officer and serves as the principal military adviser to the President, the Secretary of Defense, and the National Security Council.

Brown was nominated for the office by President Biden in May 2023.

Trump, who attended Army-Navy games as president-elect in 2016 and during his first terms in office, has been making increasingly frequent public appearances before his inauguration on Jan. 20, 2025. He was joined by his family and Vance as he rang the opening bell on Thursday New York Stock Exchange after being recognized as Time Magazine Person of the Year.

Trump spent the weeks after the Nov. 5 election at his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida assembling a team to help him lead his next administration. He and his staff have become optimistic about Hegseth’s chances of Senate confirmation. The Army combat veteran and former Fox News host’s chances of becoming defense secretary were in jeopardy because of allegations excessive drinking, sexual assault and his views on it Women in combat.

Trump senior adviser Jason Miller said in a Newsmax interview Friday that Hegseth had “run the gauntlet.” Miller predicted Hegseth would be confirmed.

“This is someone who was literally shot at on the battlefield,” Miller added. “That’s the type of person I want leading the (Department of Defense) because as we make these decisions about whether or not to put American troops in harm’s way, I want someone who knows what that’s like on a personal level “before you go and.” send a young man or woman into battle.

Speaker of the House Mike JohnsonR-La., attended the game and brought with him a group of other GOP lawmakers who were vying for a face-to-face meeting with the new president weeks before Republicans take control of the three branches of the federal government.

Johnson said he planned to discuss plans with Trump for a legislative package that could pass Congress with a simple majority next year amid expected Democratic opposition.

Vance said Friday that Penny, a Marine veteran, accepted his invitation to be in Trump’s suite on the Army side. Penny was acquitted of involuntary manslaughter in Neely’s death after a judge did so a more serious charge of involuntary manslaughter was dismissed last week because the jury was deadlocked on the matter.

The case was a flashpoint in long-standing debates over racial justice and also in the city of New York’s failures to address the homelessness and mental illness that Neely struggled with.

“Daniel is a good guy, and the New York mob district attorney tried to ruin his life because he has a backbone,” Vance said in a post on X. “I am grateful that he accepted my invitation and hope “That he can have fun and appreciate how.” His fellow citizens greatly admire his courage.”

Governor Wes Moore declared December 14, 2024 as Army vs. Navy Game Day in Maryland.

“Today isn’t just about one of the biggest rivalries in college sports – it’s about what brings us together. I am proud to be part of the long tradition of service that defines our state and our country; a tradition that transcends origin, ideology, race and family history,” Moore said.

The Navy Midshipmen and Army Black Knights have faced each other on the football field every year since 1930, including as the United States fought in World War II.