Nationals Exec Caught Admitting Religious Discrimination
The Washington Nationals are now under a cloud after a video surfaced that appears to show a team executive tying one player’s public religious views to how the club promotes him. The issue centers on Trevor Williams, who spoke out against the Los Angeles Dodgers’ 2023 Pride Night event featuring the Sisterhood of Perpetual Indulgence, a drag group that dresses as nuns. After that, Nationals Director of Community Relations Sean Hudson was recorded saying the team does not use Williams in certain social media content because of his comments.
https://x.com/JamesOKeefeIII/status/2059322421371605039
Rep. Lauren Boebert is pushing the Justice Department to dig in. In a letter sent Thursday to Acting Attorney General Todd Blanche and Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon, she said the reported conduct could amount to illegal discrimination. Boebert told Fox News Digital, “According to the reporting by James O’Keefe, it appears the Washington Nationals are engaged in unlawful religious discrimination.” She added, “I urge the DOJ to take immediate and decisive action.”
The Justice Department said it had received the letter and was reviewing the matter. A spokesperson said, “The Department is reviewing the matter and will evaluate all appropriate next steps. As always, we remain committed to enforcing federal law and protecting civil rights,” they told Fox News Digital.
Hudson’s comments in the video were blunt. According to the recording, he said, “Because of that we don’t use him on social [media],” referring to Williams’ criticism of the Dodgers’ drag performance. He also described himself as “far-left leaning” and nonreligious, while calling Williams “super Catholic.” In the same video, he talked about a Communist Party poster in his office and floated left-wing ideas around the ballpark.
The Nationals pushed back hard. A team spokesperson said, “The statements are not only factually incorrect, but do not reflect the views, opinions or actions of the Washington Nationals,” and added, “The Nationals are dedicated to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for our players, fans and staff, and we vehemently deny any allegations to the contrary.”
Williams has been open about why he spoke up. He said in an interview with Bishop Robert Barron that the drag group’s anti-Catholic display was “deeply offensive,” and that he and his wife decided to speak out even though it could put “a target on our back.” He also said, “Baseball stadiums should be a place where everyone feels welcomed, like 100%,” and, “We should all feel welcomed there. But that was clearly against one certain religion. If you don’t draw the line in the sand, who’s gonna do it?”
For now, the big question is whether the DOJ decides this is just a bad look or something more serious under federal civil rights law. Boebert says the answer should come fast. The Nationals say the accusations are off base. And the video is now the center of the fight.