By HOWARD FENDRICH

LANDOVER, Md. (AP) — Donald Trump became the first sitting president in nearly a half-century at a regular-season NFL game, attending the Washington Commanders’ contest against the Detroit Lions on Sunday.

There were loud boos from some spectators in the stands when Trump was shown on the videoboard late in the first half — standing in a suite with House Speaker Mike Johnson — and again when the president was introduced by the stadium announcer at halftime.

The jeering continued while Trump read an oath for members of the military to recite as part of an on-field enlistment ceremony during the break in the game.

“I’m a little bit late,” Trump told reporters earlier when he got off Air Force One after landing at Joint Base Andrews, following a flyover of Northwest Stadium during the game. He then got in his armored car for the drive to the arena.

“We’re gonna have a good game. Things are going along very well. The country’s doing well. The Democrats have to open it up,” he said — a reference to the government shutdown.

In the first quarter Sunday, before the president arrived, Lions receiver Amon-Ra St. Brown celebrated a touchdown catch by pointing into the stands and moving his arms a la the “ Trump dance ” that several athletes began doing last year.

During the third quarter, Trump joined Fox broadcasters Kenny Albert and Jonathan Vilma for about eight minutes of lighthearted chat. Albert opened by asking Trump about his time playing high school football at New York Military Academy.

“I played tight end, but it was not quite football like this. It was a little bit easier. It wasn’t so tough,” Trump said.

Trump left before Sunday’s game ended.

Only two other times did a president go to an NFL game during the regular season while in office, according to the league: Richard Nixon in 1969 and Jimmy Carter in 1978. Trump became the first president at a Super Bowl while residing in the White House when he watched the Philadelphia Eagles beat the Kansas City Chiefs 40-22 in February.

According to a report by ESPN on Saturday, an intermediary for the White House has told the Commanders’ ownership group that Trump wants the club’s new stadium — part of a nearly $4 billion project in the nation’s capital at the site of what was known as RFK Stadium — to bear his name.

In Sunday’s TV appearance, Trump spoke about the team’s plans to return to Washington.

“They’re going to build a beautiful stadium. That’s what I’m involved in, we’re getting all the approvals and everything else,” he said. “And you have a wonderful owner, Josh (Harris) and his group. And you’re going to see some very good things.”

Sunday’s visit was the latest in a series of high-profile appearances at sporting events by Trump, including golf’s Ryder Cup, auto racing’s Daytona 500 and tennis’ U.S. Open.

“I just love it. It’s a microcosm of life,” Trump said about sports during Sunday’s broadcast. “It’s sort of like life — the good, the bad and the ugly.”

Before the game, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth chatted with Harris — the leader of the group that purchased the Commanders from Daniel Snyder for about $6 billion in 2023 — and took part in an on-field ceremony with members of the military.

Hegseth was among those watching the game with Trump, along with White House chief of staff Susie Wiles, Education Secretary Linda McMahon and Republican Sen. Steve Daines of Montana.

There was friction between Trump and the NFL during his first presidential term, when he objected to players kneeling during the national anthem to protest social or racial injustice. That movement began in 2016 with then-49ers quarterback Colin Kaepernick.

Via social media and other public comments, Trump insisted that players should stand for the national anthem and called on team owners to fire anyone taking a knee.

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Associated Press writer Michelle L. Price and AP Sports Writer Ben Nuckols contributed to this report.

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AP NFL: https://apnews.com/hub/nfl

The Gopher football program picked up a third commitment from a junior college transfer in as many days.

On Sunday, Hutchinson Community College wide reciever Derrick Salley Jr. joined current teammates, defensive tackle KJ Henson and safety MJ Graham, in Minnesota’s 2026 recruiting class. After the trio made a visit to the Gophers campus this week, Graham committed to the U on Friday and Henson on Saturday.

Salley, who is listed at 6-foot-4 and 216 pounds, is considerd the top JUCO wideout in the class, according to 247Sports. He has 33 receptions for 645 yards (19.5 per grab) and 12 touchdowns so far this season.

Salley, from Green Pond, S.C., had other offers from Illinois, Kansas State, Boise State, Oklahoma State and many others.

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LAW

Mark Vyvyan

Fredrikson, Minneapolis, announced that shareholder Mark Vyvyan has been selected by the Hennepin County Bar Association to receive the 2025 Excellence Award for improving access to justice and pro bono. … SiebenCarey, Minneapolis, announced that personal injury attorney Jeffrey M. Montpetit was inducted as a Fellow of the American College of Trial Lawyers.

BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

The Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development announced it has awarded $69 million from the Minnesota Forward Fund to four business expansion and job training projects: Niron Magnetics, Sartell, $10 million; North Wind Test, Rosemount, $50 million; Hennepin Technical College, Brooklyn Park and Eden Prairie, $4 million, and University of St. Thomas, St. Paul, $5 million.

HEALTH CARE

Summit Orthopedics, a Woodbury-based provider of orthopedic care, announced the opening of its Plymouth Bass Lake Clinic and Plymouth Ambulatory Surgery Center at 6050 Sycamore Lane North, Plymouth. … Nystrom & Associates, a New Brighton-based chain of mental health clinics, announced a name change to Sagent Behavioral Health and uniting all its brands under that name. Nystrom also owns Ellie Mental Health in Minnesota, LifeWorks and Psychiatric Associates in Iowa, Sandhill Counseling and Consultation in Missouri and Vantage Point in Wisconsin.

HONORS

KLC Financial, a Minnetonka-based provider of equipment lease and purchase financing for business, announced that Chief Financial Officer Kevin Kelly has been recognized by Monitor magazine as one of the Most Influential People in Equipment Finance for 2025, earning a place in the Market Movers category. KLC Financial is a Gulf Coast Bank & Trust company. … DigiKey, a Thief River Falls-based global electronic components and automation products distributor, announced that CEO Dave Doherty has received the 2025 Robert H. Goddard Alumni Award for Outstanding Professional Achievement from Worcester Polytechnic Institute, honoring alums who have distinguished themselves through their professions.

MANUFACTURING

The Toro Co., a Bloomington-based maker of lawn mowers and snow removal machines for consumers and businesses, announced the promotion of Heather M. Hille to vice president of corporate affairs and investor relations. Hille has served as managing director of corporate affairs since 2019. … Pentair, a provider of water treatment products and services to businesses and consumers, announced the promotion of Vice President of Corporate Development and Treasury Nick Brazis to executive vice president and chief financial officer, effective March 1, 2026, succeeding Bob Fishman. The company also announced the elevation of Chief Financial Officer Heather Hausmann to the newly created role of executive vice president, chief information officer and chief information security officer. Pentair is based in the United Kingdom with U.S. offices in Golden Valley.

NONPROFITS

Tree Trust, a St. Paul-based vocational program focused on urban forestry and landscaping, announced that Executive Director and CEO Jared Smith is leaving the organization on Nov. 20 to take a position in a faith-based organization. Board Chair Michael Huntington will take over day-to-day operations on an interim basis.

OPENINGS

Jersey Mike’s Subs, a nationally franchised sandwich chain, announced a location at 2112A Ford Pkwy., St. Paul. The franchise owners are Michael McGuire and Jordan Taylor.

ORGANIZATIONS

Albert Lea–Freeborn County Chamber of Commerce announced Valerie Lockhart as executive director. Lockhart previously led nonprofits MN Women in Tech and the MN Tech Network and also teaches digital communications and AI courses for the University of Minnesota.

SERVICES

CodaPet, a national chain offering in-home pet euthanasia services, announced the expansion of its Minneapolis operations to surrounding suburbs with the addition of veterinarian Dr. Elizabeth Parks serving Minneapolis, Plymouth, St. Paul, Anoka, Brooklyn Park, Maplewood, Roseville, Blaine, Edina and Richfield. She joins Dr. Jessica Mumm, Dr. Keri Wasmoen and Dr. Angela De Villa in the practice.

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EMAIL ITEMS to businessnews@pioneerpress.com.

By SCOTT BAUER and NICHOLAS RICCARDI

President Donald Trump’s administration is demanding states “undo” full SNAP benefits paid out under judges’ orders last week, now that the U.S. Supreme Court has stayed those rulings, marking the latest swing in a seesawing legal battle over the anti-hunger program used by 42 million Americans.

The demand from the U.S. Department of Agriculture came as more than two dozen states warned of “catastrophic operational disruptions” if the Trump administration does not reimburse them for those SNAP benefits they authorized before the Supreme Court’s stay.

Nonprofits and Democratic attorneys general sued to force the Trump administration to maintain the program in November. They won the favorable rulings last week, leading to the swift release of benefits to millions in several states.

But, even before it won a stay on those rulings through an appeal to the Supreme Court on Friday night, the Trump administration balked at reimbursing states for the initial round of SNAP payments. Wisconsin, for example, loaded benefits onto cards for 700,000 residents, but after the U.S. Treasury froze its reimbursements to the state, it anticipates running out of money by Monday, Democratic Gov. Tony Evers’ administration warned in a lengthy statement on Sunday.

The lack of money could leave vendors unpaid and trigger escalating legal claims, the states warned. “States could face demands to return hundreds of millions of dollars in the aggregate,” the filing at the 1st Circuit Court of Appeals says.

That situation “would risk catastrophic operational disruptions for the States, with a consequent cascade of harms for their residents,” the filing concludes.

That filing arrived as the Department of Agriculture on Saturday told states it would now consider any payments made last week to be “unauthorized.”

“To the extent States sent full SNAP payment files for November 2025, this was unauthorized,” Patrick Penn, deputy undersecretary of Agriculture, wrote to state SNAP directors. “Accordingly, States must immediately undo any steps taken to issue full SNAP benefits for November 2025.”

Evers issued a quick response to the Trump administration’s demand. “No,” the governor said in a statement.

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“Pursuant to and consistent with an active court order, Wisconsin legally loaded benefits to cards, ensuring nearly 700,000 Wisconsinites, including nearly 270,000 kids, had access to basic food and groceries,” Evers said. “After we did so, the Trump Administration assured Wisconsin and other states that they were actively working to implement full SNAP benefits for November and would ‘complete the processes necessary to make funds available.’ They have failed to do so to date.”

Representative Angie Craig of Minnesota, the top Democrat on the House Agriculture Committee, said in a statement that she believed the Trump administration was “demanding that food assistance be taken away from the households that have already received it.”

“They would rather go door to door, taking away people’s food, than do the right thing and fully fund SNAP for November so that struggling veterans, seniors, and children can keep food on the table,” she said.

“The cruelty is the point,” said Senator Amy Klobuchar, Democrat of Minnesota, who leads her party on the chamber’s top agriculture committee. In a post on Sunday on social media, she added: “It is their choice to do this.”

Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz wrote on social media, “November SNAP benefits in Minnesota have been restored. This funding, used by children, seniors, and people with disabilities to pay for food, has been in limbo since October. Restoring this funding took numerous court rulings ordering the Trump administration to use the money they have set aside — for this very purpose — to feed the hungry. This cruelty serves no one. The dysfunction caused by this administration, at the expense of real lives, is staggering. But we will not let Minnesotans go hungry.”

This report contains material from the New York Times.