Updated

Updated · The Washington Post · Oct 23

Hegseth Staff Tried to Pull Under 10 U.S. Troops From Paris NFL Game as Unrest Grew

Updated

Updated · The Washington Post · Oct 23

Hegseth Staff Tried to Pull Under 10 U.S. Troops From Paris NFL Game as Unrest Grew

Q: Why did the State Department risk a military color guard in Paris despite severe riots and canceled fan events?

The State Department backed a military color guard in Paris because it judged the appearance to be a low-risk, high-visibility diplomatic gesture rather than an operational deployment. Officials argued that having U.S. service members at the NFL’s first regular-season game in France carried symbolic value for U.S.-French ties and for America’s public presence at a major international event. That mattered especially because the U.S. military had already appeared at other overseas NFL games this season, including in London and Melbourne, making Paris part of an established pattern of ceremonial support. The department also did not believe Americans in Paris faced immediate danger, according to officials familiar with the discussions. Its public guidance reflected caution, not a determination that the city was too unsafe for any U.S. presence. Americans were told to avoid demonstrations, large crowds tied to unrest, and possible route changes, while the NFL and French authorities continued extensive security planning for the game at Stade de France. What changed was the scale. The Pentagon had moved to cancel all military participation after unrest in Paris and canceled fan events raised concern. After the State Department intervened, the military role was restored only in a limited form: a small color guard of fewer than 10 personnel. That let officials preserve the diplomatic symbolism while sharply reducing exposure.

Q: What specific intelligence prompted the Pentagon's sudden attempt to pull troops from the historic Paris NFL game?

No specific new intelligence has been publicly identified. The reporting indicates the Pentagon’s attempted pullback was driven by broad security concerns tied to the unrest in Paris, not by any disclosed, event-specific threat to U.S. troops at the NFL game. What is known is that Hegseth’s office moved to cancel military participation after violent protests, looting, curfews and warnings of more demonstrations in the French capital. U.S. officials had alerts that numerous groups planned protests, that routes could change at the last minute, and that earlier demonstrations had involved property destruction, attacks on police and tear gas. French authorities were also preparing a major security operation. What is not shown in the available reporting is any indication of a concrete intelligence warning such as a credible plot targeting the game, Stade de France, or the U.S. military detail. In fact, State Department officials argued they did not assess Americans in Paris to be in immediate danger and pushed successfully for a limited ceremonial presence to remain. So the best-supported answer is that the Pentagon appears to have reacted to the general instability and prospect of further unrest in Paris, but no specific intelligence trigger has been disclosed publicly.

3 articles · Updated · The Washington Post · Oct 23

Hegseth’s office moved to cancel all U.S. military ceremonial participation in Sunday’s NFL game in Paris, then restored a smaller presence after State Department objections.
State Department officials argued the appearance carried diplomatic value and said they did not assess U.S. citizens or personnel in Paris as facing a high danger level.
The revised plan now includes a color guard of fewer than 10 personnel, replacing what officials said had been a larger contingent of dozens of troops.
The dispute came after protests in Paris over school funding and living costs, with the U.S. advising Americans attending the game to avoid demonstrations and unrest.
Trump has used the French unrest to attack immigration and pressure Macron, adding strain to a relationship already frayed by disputes over Ukraine, tariffs and other issues.