Vice President JD Vance Calls WNBA Anthem Protest Disgraceful

Vice President JD Vance took a hard line against WNBA players on Wednesday, labeling their refusal to stand during the national anthem as disgraceful while discussing the league finals between the Atlanta Dream and Golden State Valkyries. The athletes walked off the court before Game 1 and Game 2 despite a specific rule in the league book ordering them to stand and line up for the performance.

Speaking on Arroyo Grande with host Raymond Arroyo, Vance argued that criticizing public policy should not involve disrespecting the country itself. He pointed out the wealth and privilege these women possess within the United States. He believes they have much to be thankful for regarding their jobs and safety in America. If they showed more gratitude, he said, they would be happier people who do not offend so many citizens.

The Vice President also referenced Saint Augustine's concept of Ordo Amoris, a Catholic idea about orders of duty that Vance previously used in 2025 to defend administration deportation policies. He explained that while our closest duties belong to family and immediate circles, we still owe obligations to the stranger and the entire world.

He continued by stating that whether someone was born here or arrived by choice, this nation is their country and they are meant to love it. Without a love for the country, he warned, a person becomes disordered in human terms. He added that everyone should try to make America the best version of itself.

Fox News Digital spoke with veteran GOP strategist Mary Marslender, who agreed with Vance that the players lack perspective on how great life is here. She argued that these athletes treat a country granting them extraordinary privileges as if it were an oppressor. They ignore that American women enjoy rights and opportunities rare or nonexistent for most women elsewhere.

Marslender suggested the players forget that a league like the WNBA exists because of these specific rights allowing public dissent without fear of state reprisal. If they hate this country so much, she noted, they are free to leave it while the rest of us are done with such disrespect. Fox News Digital reached out to both the WNBA and the Women's National Basketball Players Association but did not receive an immediate reply for this story. OutKick's Dan Zaksheske contributed to the report covering this developing media culture debate.