Dodgers Plan White House Visit to Celebrate Back-to-Back Titles, Despite Calls for Boycott
The Los Angeles Dodgers are heading back to the nation’s capital-again. After clinching their second straight World Series title in a dramatic seven-game showdown with the Toronto Blue Jays, the reigning champs are set to make their third White House visit in five years. While the exact date is still up in the air, a White House official confirmed that the team has been in touch and plans to attend the traditional championship ceremony.
This return to Washington continues a long-standing MLB tradition, one the Dodgers seem committed to honoring-regardless of the political climate surrounding it.
A Tradition, Not a Statement
Manager Dave Roberts and longtime ace Clayton Kershaw have both made it clear: this visit isn’t about politics-it’s about tradition.
“I am going to continue to try to do what tradition says and not try to make political statements because I am not a politician,” Roberts said, reinforcing his stance that the trip is more about celebrating baseball than sending a message.
Kershaw, who’s been the face of the franchise for over a decade, echoed that sentiment: “The White House is an incredible honor to get to go see, regardless of who’s in office... that’s stuff that you can’t lose sight of no matter what you believe.”
This will be the Dodgers’ third visit in recent years, following their 2021 championship trip and another after their 2025 title run. For a team that’s built a culture around consistency and excellence, it makes sense they’d treat this visit as part of the winning process.
Not Without Controversy
Still, the trip isn’t without pushback. Immigration rights groups, including the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON), have called on the team to boycott the ceremony.
In a petition, the group urged players and staff to reconsider, saying, “They cannot stay silent as our families and neighbors face violence, detention, and deportation. By visiting a president who has used his power to harm the most vulnerable, the team would be turning its back on the very people who fill the stadiums.”
This tension highlights the increasingly complex landscape athletes and teams navigate when tradition collides with activism. Last year, reliever Brusdar Graterol notably declined the invitation, saying he preferred to stay at his “brown house.” Whether any players make similar decisions this time around remains to be seen.
Eyes on the Field-and the Future
While the off-field headlines continue to swirl, the Dodgers have their eyes locked on a potential “three-peat.” With the offseason additions of outfielder Kyle Tucker and closer Edwin Díaz, Los Angeles enters the 2026 campaign as a heavy favorite to make yet another deep postseason run.
As for the White House visit, fans can expect a date announcement sometime during the first half of the regular season. And when it happens, the Dodgers will be doing what they’ve done best in recent years-showing up, winning, and letting their play do the talking.