The Los Angeles Dodgers are scheduled to visit the White House on July 23 to celebrate their World Series championship. This marks their second consecutive visit following their victory, making them the first team to win back-to-back championships since the New York Yankees in 2000. The White House confirmed the visit, stating that President Donald Trump is looking forward to welcoming the team.
The Dodgers won the championship after a Game 7 comeback against the Toronto Blue Jays. However, the visit has faced criticism from immigration rights groups, including the National Day Laborer Organizing Network, which urged the team to reconsider their attendance. The group expressed concerns about the implications of visiting a president whose policies they believe harm vulnerable communities.
Some players, such as Brusdar Graterol and Freddie Freeman, did not attend the previous celebration. Mookie Betts, who skipped a previous visit with the Boston Red Sox in 2019, expressed his commitment to attending this year, stating that it is about the team and their shared experiences. The Dodgers previously visited President Joe Biden in July 2021 for their 2020 championship.
The visit comes amid a broader context where several sports teams have declined invitations to the White House during Trump's presidency, while others have accepted. The Seattle Seahawks and Carolina Hurricanes are among teams that have yet to announce their plans regarding a visit.