Did Trump break the law when telling Jerry Jones to force players to stand during anthem?

Question

18 U.S. Code § 227 - Wrongfully influencing a private entity’s employment decisions by a Member of Congress or an officer or employee of the legislative or executive branch

(a) Whoever, being a covered government person, with the intent to influence, solely on the basis of partisan political affiliation, an employment decision or employment practice of any private entity— 
(1) takes or withholds, or offers or threatens to take or withhold, an official act, or 
(2) influences, or offers or threatens to influence, the official act of another, 
shall be fined under this title or imprisoned for not more than 15 years, or both, and may be disqualified from holding any office of honor, trust, or profit under the United States. 
(b) In this section, the term “covered government person” means— 
(1) a Senator or Representative in, or a Delegate or Resident Commissioner to, the Congress; 
(2) an employee of either House of Congress; or 
(3) the President, Vice President, an employee of the United States Postal Service or the Postal Regulatory Commission, or any other executive branch employee (as such term is defined under section 2105 of title 5, United States Code).

Greg · Accepted Answer

Possibly.

But I'm more interested in seeing the look on Jerry Jones' face when Zeke Elliot, Dak Prescott, Dez Bryant, and Darren McFadden all take the knee next Sunday.

Bryan · Answer

It is an attempt by the federal government impose on the rights of individuals to express themselves.  The first amendment would be nullified therefore that action would be unconstitutional.  It is not the prevue of the government to control a private business, which a football team is.  The do that in dictatorships, like Russia, China and North Korea.

Anonymous · Answer

I got as far as “with the intent to influence, solely on the basis of partisan political affiliation“.  Fail.

anonimitie · Answer

Probably not because there was no threat as in sections a one and two; at least none that I know of.  But, unlike the Dunning-Kruger victims here, I know I'm not a legal scholar.

Anonymous · Answer

You HATE that Trump has FREEDOM OF SPEECH just like any other American!

Too bad, sweetums! He's just saying what a lot of other people think! Crybaby . . .

Anonymous · Answer

He did not and could not order him

the real gyt · Answer

Trump didn’t force Jerry to tell players to stand.  That was Jerry’s idea even before Trump was elected.  He was not in favor of the kneeling during the anthem from the beginning.

Anonymous · Answer

Did Jerry Jones think the President was going to drone strike him to death if he didn't?

Anonymous · Answer

No

Anonymous · Answer

Nope. but nice try troll. At least you are putting forth an effort.

Did Trump break the law when telling Jerry Jones to force players to stand during anthem?

11 Answers