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Inslee Weighs In On Trump, NFL Protests And Racial Inequities

Austin Jenkins
/
Northwest News Network files
Governor Jay Inslee

Washington Governor Jay Inslee is criticizing President Donald Trump for comments on NFL players who protest during the national anthem.

Inslee said Monday that Trump is trying to “polarize America” instead of addressing the country’s racial inequities.

"Now whatever you think about football or sidelines, we do know this: our country has a long way, our state has work to do to reach the fulfillment of that American dream," Inslee said. "We need to have better education for kids of color who have an opportunity gap, we need to reduce violence with our police forces."

Last Friday, Trump said NFL owners should fire players who take a knee during the anthem. That prompted a show of unity by NFL players over the weekend.

In Nashville, members of the Seattle Seahawks and Tennessee Titans stayed off the field during the singing of the “Star Spangled Banner.”

Since January 2004, Austin Jenkins has been the Olympia-based political reporter for the Northwest News Network. In that position, Austin covers Northwest politics and public policy, as well as the Washington State Legislature. You can also see Austin on television as host of TVW's (the C–SPAN of Washington State) Emmy-nominated public affairs program "Inside Olympia."