FARMINGDALE, N.Y. (AP) — President Donald Trump started Friday by warning that more of his enemies will face prosecution, shaking the foundations of the American justice system by treating it as a tool of political retribution.
And then he jetted off to the Ryder Cup to enjoy the rest of the day as the golfer-in-chief, watching the U.S. compete against Europe as the sun shined and the crowd cheered.
It was the latest example of how Trump seizes the attention that comes along with high-profile sporting events, putting his personal imprint on activities that have existed for generations as largely nonpartisan affairs.
Standing on the tee box in white golf shoes and a dark suit, the Republican president led spectators in a 'USA!' chant a day after James Comey, the former FBI director, became the first former senior government official involved in one of Trump’s chief grievances to face prosecution. Trump had demanded the prosecution out of anger over Comey’s role in the Russia investigation during his first term.
A warm welcome for Trump
Even as he pushes the bounds of the presidency in his second term, Trump still found a warm welcome at the Ryder Cup. The crowd, many of whom endured lengthy security delays, chanted 'USA! USA!' as Air Force One flew low over the closing holes at the Bethpage Black course, a show of force that he used on the campaign trail with his private plane.
When Trump stepped away from the course after watching the afternoon fourball matches tee off, some people in the stands behind him chanted '48,' suggesting that they want the 45th and 47th president to serve an unconstitutional third term.
'He’s doing a hell of a job for the country,' said Phil Dunn of Pittsburgh. 'He’s trying to bring people together.' As for Comey, Dunn said, 'it was treasonous what he did.'
Golf has always been something of a refuge for Trump. He owns several courses and visits often on the weekends to play and hold meetings.
The ‘People’s Country Club’
This year’s Ryder Cup represented a synthesis at the heart of Trump’s political appeal as a billionaire with populist tastes. Although golf has a reputation as an elitist sport, Bethpage, on Long Island, is known as the 'People’s Country Club,' one of the few public courses to host professional tournaments. The Ryder Cup draws a patriotic scene since it pits American players against Europeans.
Trump arrived through a tunnel beneath the grandstand, an announcer heralding his arrival. The crowd roared and broke into more 'USA!' chants. He then watched from behind a glass barrier near the first tee and the 18th green as the day’s second round of matches got underway.
Sports will become more central to Trump’s presidency
Sports will only become more central to his presidency. The U.S. is hosting the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics and the World Cup next year, along with Canada and Mexico. Trump has suggested reshaping the schedule for the soccer tournament to mesh with his political agenda by moving matches away from U.S. cities that he deems unsafe.
Little of these controversies were on people’s minds at Bethpage on Friday. Jody Erwin, of Houston, wore a Captain America costume and a red American flag hat from Trump’s golf course in Bedminster, New Jersey. Erwin brushed off the idea that golf has been a safe space for someone like the president, saying, 'I don’t think he can ever relax.'
