Marc Short, the chief of staff to Vice President Mike Pence, told CNN that protests from major sports leagues by athletes calling for social justice are “absurd and silly.”
Asked if Pence supports the NBA’s boycott, Short said this:
“I don’t know you’re going to see the administration weigh in on that one way or the other. In my mind, it’s absurd and silly.”
He went on criticize the NBA for its ties to China, but said he didn’t think the administration shouldn’t speak out on a boycott “one way or the other.”
“If they wanna protest, I don’t think we care,” Short said.
President Trump has not commented on the latest wave of protests by sports stars, but has previously criticized players who spoke publicly against racism or police brutality.
Earlier this month, he said it was “not acceptable” for athletes to take a knee before games, a comment condemned by many professional players.
