The next vice president will have a special guest when he attends the Army-Navy football game on Saturday. JD Vance has announced plans to host Daniel Penny, a Marine veteran recently acquitted of homicide charges, at this Saturday’s annual tradition in Landover, Maryland.
Penny, who recently endured a politicized trial in New York after joining a group that defended a mother and child from a homeless man on the subway, drew national attention, will sit in President-elect Trump’s suite.
“Daniel’s a good guy, and New York’s mob district attorney tried to ruin his life for having a backbone,” Vance wrote in a post on Twitter. “I’m grateful he accepted my invitation and hope he enjoys the game and understands how much his fellow citizens admire his courage.”
Daniel’s a good guy, and New York’s mob district attorney tried to ruin his life for having a backbone.
I’m grateful he accepted my invitation and hope he’s able to have fun and appreciate how much his fellow citizens admire his courage. https://t.co/b4bY0G0EM3
— JD Vance (@JDVance) December 13, 2024
Earlier this week, Penny was found not guilty of criminally negligent homicide in the 2023 death of Jordan Neely. The case stemmed from a confrontation on a New York City subway in which Penny restrained Neely, a homeless man experiencing a mental health crisis, in a chokehold. Penny’s defense team argued that he acted to protect himself and other passengers from a perceived threat, while prosecutors claimed his actions were excessive.
The incident divided public opinion across the country. Some hailed Penny’s actions as heroic, while others criticized them as dangerous and unnecessary. The jury ultimately sided with the defense, determining that Penny did not act with criminal negligence.
The verdict caused radical activists to lose their minds and make calls for violence against Penny and the jury, along with condemning the United States.
Following the verdict, Vance expressed strong support for Penny and criticized the decision to prosecute the case.
“I’ve stayed quiet about this case to avoid influencing the jury,” Vance shared on Twitter. “But thank God justice was served.”
I have not said much about this case out of fear of (negatively) influencing the jury.
But thank God justice was done in this case. It was a scandal Penny was ever prosecuted in the first place. https://t.co/r2Qa2IuR7i
— JD Vance (@JDVance) December 9, 2024
The Army-Navy game, one of the most celebrated traditions in college football, is expected to draw significant attention, especially with Trump, Vance, and Penny attending together. Army has had one of the best records in the country, going 11-1 this season. The Black Knights are favored by 6.5 points.
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