Former Minnesota Vikings punter Chris Kluwe was arrested and removed from a city council meeting in Huntington Beach after becoming disruptive during an anti-MAGA rant. Kluwe, who played for the Vikings from 2005 to 2012, appeared at the meeting where he launched into a harsh critique of Donald Trump supporters.
Despite opposition from some attendees, Kluwe, 43, continued to voice his opinions, stating, "MAGA is profoundly corrupt," and "unmistakenly anti-democracy, and most importantly, MAGA is explicitly a Nazi movement." He went on to compare the MAGA movement to a Nazi symbol, saying, "You may have replaced a Swastika with a red hat, but that is what it is."
The situation escalated when Kluwe announced his intention to engage in "peaceful civil obedience." He then moved toward the city council, at which point he was swiftly detained by multiple officers. Kluwe was handcuffed and escorted out of City Hall, an incident that was partially captured on video.
The Huntington Beach Police Department charged Kluwe with disturbance of an assembly. He was released from custody after four hours. Known for his outspoken views, Kluwe has made headlines in the past, including a 2012 protest against the Pro Football Hall of Fame’s exclusion of punters, for which he was fined $5,000. In 2014, Kluwe claimed he was released by the Vikings due to his support for same-sex marriage.
