Daniel Penny, a Marine veteran recently acquitted of charges stemming from the death of Jordan Neely on a New York subway, has been invited to join President-elect Donald Trump’s suite at the Army-Navy football game.
The invitation was extended by Vice President-elect JD Vance, who praised Penny’s actions and criticized the prosecution, calling it politically motivated. Penny, 26, accepted the invitation and has been defended by prominent conservatives, including entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, who contributed to his legal defense fund.
The case drew national attention and divided public opinion. Some viewed Penny as a hero protecting public safety, while others condemned his actions as racially charged and indicative of systemic failures. Neely, a homeless man with a history of mental illness, died after being subdued by Penny during an incident on the subway in May 2023.
Penny, in a post-verdict interview, maintained he acted to protect passengers and expressed no regrets, despite the backlash. Meanwhile, protests erupted in New York City following the trial’s outcome, with critics highlighting the need for systemic reform in addressing mental health crises and homelessness.
