The Los Angeles Dodgers have accepted the invitation to visit the White House to celebrate their 2024 World Series championship. The trip is set for April 7 and will happen before the team starts a 3 game series against the Washington Nationals. In addition to the White House visit, the Dodgers will also be on Capitol Hill on April 8 .
A “Great Honor” for the Dodgers
Manager Dave Roberts spoke to the media before Tuesday’s exhibition game against the Los Angeles Angels about the White House invitation.
“It wasn’t a formal conversation that we had as a ballclub,” Roberts said. “It’s a huge honor to get the invitation to the White House. We get to celebrate our 2024 championship. To my understanding, every World Series champion gets that honor so it’s a big honor for all of us.”
For the Dodgers this is a special trip as they look back on their first full season World Series title since 1988. They won the championship on October 30, 2024 and defeated the New York Yankees in Game 5—a moment that capped off years of hard work and perseverance.
The Jackie Robinson Controversy
The timing of the Dodgers visit is interesting given the recent controversy surrounding a story about Jackie Robinson’s military service . Last week the Department of Defense temporarily removed a webpage about Robinson’s service as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army during World War II. This was part of President Donald Trump’s effort to eliminate references to diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) through what he called a “digital content refresh.”
Robinson’s legacy goes far beyond his military service—he broke Major League Baseball’s color barrier when he debuted for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947. Today a statue of him stands in the center field plaza of Dodger Stadium. The webpage was initially removed but has since been restored after public backlash.
When asked about the controversy Roberts said he wasn’t aware of the details but was glad the page was back up:
“I’m happy the page went back up. I have my strong opinions on DEI and all that stuff but that’s another scrum.”
Roberts’ Evolution on Visiting the White House
In 2019, near the end of Trump’s first term, Roberts told the Los Angeles Times he might not visit the White House if the Dodgers won the World Series that year. When asked about those comments on Tuesday, Roberts smiled and said:
“Did I?”
He chuckled and added:
“I’m going. I respect the position. It’s the highest office in our country, certainly in the world, so, looking forward to it.”
This is a change of tune from Roberts, who used to not want to go to the White House.
A Return to the White House—and a Complicated History
This isn’t the Dodgers’ first White House visit. They went to Washington, D.C. under President Joe Biden to celebrate their 2020 World Series title, which was played during a pandemic-shortened season. Four years later, they’re back under a different administration and it’s a different world.
The Dodgers organization is united on this decision, but there are complexities. Earvin “Magic” Johnson, part-owner of the Dodgers, has been critical of Trump in recent years. Yet the team tweeted:
“We look forward to visiting the White House and celebrating our title.”
Trump, California, and the Dodgers
Trump has a complicated relationship with California. After wildfires ravaged parts of Los Angeles in 2024, Trump clashed with local politicians and Governor Gavin Newsom over water policies. At one point, Trump threatened to withhold federal aid, but his administration eventually signed an executive order to address water shortages and regulatory hurdles in Southern California.
In response, Dodgers chairman Mark Walter and Magic Johnson were appointed by Newsom to lead the wildfire recovery and rebuilding efforts in L.A. and pledged up to $100 million to the cause. This philanthropic effort shows the Dodgers’ ongoing commitment to their community even as the political tension simmers.
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