Former Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe found himself in handcuffs after delivering a fiery anti-MAGA speech during a Huntington Beach city council meeting.
The outspoken ex-NFL player, known for his political activism, was arrested and forcibly removed from the meeting after accusing supporters of Donald Trump of aligning with Nazi ideology.
Kluwe, who played in the NFL from 2005 to 2012, took the floor at the meeting and unleashed a scathing critique of the MAGA movement. In a speech that quickly escalated tensions, he described MAGA as “profoundly corrupt, unmistakably anti-democracy, and most importantly, explicitly a Nazi movement.”
He didn’t hold back, telling the room, “You may have replaced a Swastika with a red hat, but that is what it is.”
The comment sparked immediate reactions from those in attendance, many of whom appeared to disagree with him. Despite the pushback, Kluwe continued speaking, announcing that he was about to engage in “peaceful civil obedience.”
At that moment, he turned and began walking toward the city council members, which prompted immediate action from security and law enforcement. Several officers quickly intercepted him, grabbing him before he could reach the council.
He was handcuffed and led out of City Hall as cameras captured the incident.
The Huntington Beach Police Department later confirmed that Kluwe was arrested for disturbing an assembly. He was held in custody for four hours before being released.
Kluwe’s history as an outspoken figure in sports and politics is well-documented. Throughout his career, he frequently used his platform to address social and political issues.
In 2012, he protested the lack of punters in the Pro Football Hall of Fame by covering the Hall of Fame patch on his jersey with “Vote Ray Guy”—a move that resulted in a $5,000 fine.
Two years later, in 2014, Kluwe made headlines again when he claimed the Vikings had cut him due to his outspoken support for same-sex marriage. The team denied the allegations, but the controversy solidified his reputation as an athlete unafraid to speak his mind.
His latest run-in with law enforcement only adds to his track record of public activism. While some have applauded his willingness to call out what he sees as dangerous political ideologies, others have criticized his approach, arguing that equating MAGA with Nazism is inflammatory and counterproductive.
Despite the arrest, Kluwe has made it clear that he isn’t backing down. In a follow-up statement, he doubled down on his comments, insisting that his message needed to be heard and that he was prepared to face the consequences of his activism.
With political tensions running high across the country, his arrest serves as yet another flashpoint in the ongoing national debate over free speech, protest, and the role of athletes in political discourse. Whether his actions will lead to further consequences remains to be seen, but one thing is certain—Chris Kluwe isn’t staying silent anytime soon.
