Washington Nationals Ban Fan For Life After Sign Incident

The Washington Nationals have identified and banned an individual for life following a sign incident at the park.

A fan attending a Nationals vs. Orioles game over the weekend unfurled a sign during Sunday's game. The sign called for the deportation of "100+ million" people, according to a team spokesman. The sign also directed fans to a white nationalist website.

The sign was unfurled early in the game, according to The Athletic.

"An usher attempted to confiscate the banner soon after it was unfurled in the upper deck along the first-base line, but the three individuals holding onto the sign pulled it back before eventually fleeing the premises, according to a team spokesperson. The incident occurred during the team's daily 'Salute to Service,' which honors veterans and military personnel and is held before the fourth inning," The Athletic reported.

The Nationals acted swiftly.

"The Washington Nationals vehemently condemn discriminatory and hateful rhetoric, and we strive to make our home field a safe space for our fans," the team said in a statement.

The Nationals are now working with Washington, D.C. police on an investigation into the sign.

Social media influencer takes credit for the sign

On social media, Jan. 6 rioter Jake Long took credit for the banner.

"The Crusaders have just completed our first MASSIVE FLAG DROP at the Washington Nationals MLB game!!!!! 😲 THE CROWD WENT ABSOLUTELY NUTS!!!!," he claimed.

(The crowd did not go nuts.)

The Nationals have made it clear that Nationals Park is "not a forum or place for use by the public at large for assembly and speech, for use by certain speakers or for the discussion of certain subjects."

The Nationals hosted the Orioles in a three-game series in D.C. this past weekend, taking two of three games from their rivals to the north.

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This story was originally published May 18, 2026 at 11:39 AM.