The Los Angeles Dodgers will attend their traditional World Series ceremony at the White House, despite mounting calls from immigrant rights groups in Los Angeles urging the team to boycott President Donald Trump due to a bunch of ICE raids in the city. The decision comes even as activists argue that the visit clashes with the values of a region made by immigrant communities and ongoing immigration enforcement worries. A Dodgers star also revealed his retirement recently.
Following their dramatic Game 7 victory over the Toronto Blue Jays in November, the Dodgers received the customary invitation to Washington, DC, to celebrate their championship. That invitation soon became controversial as hundreds of immigration raids were carried out across Los Angeles and other parts of the country, prompting protests and public appeals for the team to stay away from the White House, as per a report by The Daily Mail.
Reportedly, the Dodgers have informed the Trump administration that they plan to accept the invitation, even as criticism intensifies at home. A specific date has not yet been finalized, though the team is scheduled to play the Washington Nationals in the capital from April 3-5, a window that could align with the ceremony. The Dodgers also revealed a game-changing strategy recently.
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Dodgers Officials Choose Tradition Over Politics
Last June, government officials were seen at Dodger Stadium, leading to claims from the organization that ICE agents had been denied access to the team’s parking lot. That account was later disputed by the Department of Homeland Security, which denied that agents were blocked from the facility.
In an open letter published in November, the National Day Laborer Organizing Network urged the franchise to reconsider its plans. “By visiting a president who has used his power to harm the most vulnerable, the team would be turning its back on the very people who fill the stadiums, wear the jerseys, and give this team its heart,” the group wrote, calling on players and executives to stand with the city.
Team leadership has been careful to avoid framing the visit as a political statement. Dodgers president Stan Kasten declined to confirm details of the trip when asked recently, telling the Los Angeles Times, “I don’t have any news for you on that.” His comments reflected the organization’s reluctance to engage publicly with the political implications of the decision.
Manager Dave Roberts has been more direct about his personal stance, emphasizing continuity rather than endorsement. He said he intends to attend the White House ceremony and focus on baseball tradition, explaining that he does not see himself as a political figure and prefers not to use the visit to make a statement.
The Dodgers have a history of accepting White House invitations regardless of the administration in power. The team celebrated its championship with President Joe Biden in 2021 and also visited the White House under Trump last April, making this year’s decision consistent with past practice even as the surrounding context has changed.
Published: Feb 5, 2026 12:48 pm