NFL Players Can Do ‘Free Speech On Their Own Time’ Says Treasury Secretary

On Sunday, Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin referred to NFL players protesting during the national anthem, saying they can “do free speech on their own time.”

He also defended Trump’s recent rants against players.

“The NFL has all types of rules,” Steven said. “You can’t have stickers on your helmet, you have to have your jerseys tucked in. I think what the president is saying is that the owners should have a rule that players should have to stand in respect for the national anthem.”

He continued, “This isn’t about Democrats, it’s not about Republicans, it’s not about race, it’s not about free speech. They can do free speech on their own time. That this is about respect for the military and the first responders and the country.”

Last week, Trump told reporters: “Wouldn’t you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, say, ‘Get that son of a b— off the field right now. Out, you’re fired.’”