The Los Angeles Dodgers are preparing for another visit to the White House to celebrate their remarkable achievement of winning back-to-back World Series championships. This historic accomplishment marks the Dodgers as the first team since the late 1990s New York Yankees to secure consecutive Fall Classic titles, having clinched their second straight championship by triumphing over the Toronto Blue Jays in an intense seven-game series that culminated in an 11-inning Game 7 victory.
The Dodgers’ upcoming White House visit is anticipated to take place sometime between April 3 and 5 of next year, mirroring their previous trip to the presidential residence in April earlier this year during a series against the Washington Nationals. However, this planned visit has sparked controversy and drawn criticism from some quarters, particularly from immigrant rights advocates who are urging the team to reconsider attending.
One prominent voice against the visit comes from the National Day Laborer Organizing Network (NDLON), an immigration rights group that has publicly appealed to the Dodgers to stand with the broader Los Angeles community by declining the invitation. In an online petition, NDLON emphasized the Dodgers’ deep connection to the city’s diverse neighborhoods and families, portraying the team as a symbol of unity and cultural pride. The organization argued that attending a White House event hosted by a president they accuse of policies harmful to vulnerable immigrant populations would contradict the values and spirit the Dodgers represent.
NDLON’s petition states, “The Los Angeles Dodgers have always been more than a baseball team — they’re part of the spirit of who we are as a city. The team represents our neighborhoods, our families, and our shared love for our diverse communities. But right now, our community, our city are under siege, we need them to stand with us, on the right side of history.” The group urged the Dodgers to use their platform to advocate for compassion, dignity, and solidarity with immigrant neighbors, rather than remain silent or appear to endorse policies that have led to violence, detention, and deportation of immigrant families.
Adding to the public discourse, NDLON also shared their message via social media, highlighting Los Angeles as a city built by immigrants, working families, and dreamers. They encouraged the Dodgers to stand with the city that has supported them through thick and thin, reinforcing the sentiment that the team’s identity is deeply intertwined with the community’s values of justice and inclusivity.
Within the Dodgers organization, players have taken varied stances on White House visits in recent years. Notably, hard-throwing reliever Brusdar Graterol chose not to participate in the earlier celebration, stating his preference to remain at “my brown house,” a phrase that underscores his personal connection to his heritage and community. On the other hand, outfielder Mookie Betts decided to attend this year’s event, despite previously opting out of a similar trip with the Boston Red Sox in 2019.
Betts reflected on his earlier decision to skip the Red Sox’s White House visit, explaining that it was not a matter of personal preference but rather a desire not to be a distraction. He expressed regret for missing that opportunity and emphasized that his motivation for attending with the Dodgers was to support his teammates. “This is not about me; I don’t want anything to be about me. This is about the Dodgers. Because these boys were there for me,” Betts shared with the Los Angeles Times.
The 2019 Red Sox visit, which Betts declined, was also notably boycotted by manager Alex Cora and pitcher David Price. Cora has since publicly discussed his reasons for opting out, citing his commitment to Puerto Rico, which was still grappling with the aftermath of Hurricane Maria in 2017. Cora expressed dissatisfaction with the federal government’s response to the disaster, which influenced his decision to prioritize his home community over the ceremonial visit.
Media coverage around the Dodgers’ relationship with the White House and its political implications has been mixed, with some urging the team to reject the invitation outright. An opinion piece in the Los Angeles Times from earlier this year implored the Dodgers to say “Thanks, but no” to the White House, citing the political tensions between then-President Donald Trump and California. The article highlighted that Trump lost Los Angeles County by a significant margin and had previously threatened to withhold disaster relief funds from California amid disputes with Governor Gavin Newsom. The piece also referenced past criticisms of Trump from notable Dodgers stakeholders such as Magic Johnson and Billie Jean King, underscoring