OK, I have no clue if it was actually Trump who stepped in here, but it sounds like the Trump administration had something to do with it. SO here’s what happened:
— AFN (@AFNlistens) January 20, 2018
The network that airs the football games for the troops shut down because of the shenanigans in Congress.
I received this from a young infantryman serving in Afghanistan this morning. Sad that the men and women who have sacrificed so much are deprived of even the most basic connection to home bc Democrats are playing political games. #SchumerShutdown pic.twitter.com/jcUqU2crF1
— Kayleigh McEnany 45 Archived (@PressSec45) January 20, 2018
Minnesota @Vikings and @NFL - What are you going to do to ensure #Vikings and #Eagles fans can see the game? Overseas military families lose AFN https://t.co/fo1Thp1hvV #SchumerShutdown
— Senator Kevin Cramer (@SenKevinCramer) January 20, 2018
Thank you for being willing but we were just informed AFN has been restored! https://t.co/PI2f8L5UMh
— Kayleigh McEnany 45 Archived (@PressSec45) January 21, 2018
Update: @DeptofDefense has informed us that AFN has been restored in most places. Glad our brave men and women can watch the game today. https://t.co/d424r1mBu2
— Kayleigh McEnany 45 Archived (@PressSec45) January 21, 2018
It’s unclear whether they did anything to actually change this, or if it happened on its own.
Great news as Armed Forces Network will air both Championship Sunday NFL games today for our service members around the world
— Brian McCarthy (@NFLprguy) January 21, 2018
Not sure this is reporting, or opinion to slam Trump:
They LITERALLY SAID THE NFL WAS ESSENTIAL SERVICES LOL:
Isn't just NFL games back on American Forces Network. I was just informed in statement from @ChiefPentSpox that AFN writ large was determined to be essential. Includes news programming, too.
— Dan Lamothe (@DanLamothe) January 21, 2018
Worth noting this emerged after @PressSec started tweeting on it as a political issue. pic.twitter.com/jxslzQ8vod
And just like that, service was restored to service-members overseas:
It gives me great pleasure to announce that we've been given limited services and have brought back two channels -- AFN News and AFN Sports. I thank you for your patience. - Col Dave Honchul, Director, AFN
— AFN (@AFNlistens) January 21, 2018
BOOM! Enjoy the games, everyone!!!
The NFL’s David vs. the NFL’s Goliath, for the right to play in the Super Bowl.
Our tease for @Jaguars–@Patriots featuring @JohnMalkovich will get you AMPED for the AFC Championship Game on CBS. pic.twitter.com/DYClwgcTAW
— CBS Sports (@CBSSports) January 21, 2018