The debate over President Trump's attack on NFL players who are refusing to stand for the national anthem is being thrust into the mayor's race in the city.

The Republican nominee, Nicole Malliotakis, says she supports Trump's demand that players be fired for "taking a knee," while Mayor Bill de Blasio denounced the president's rhetoric Monday. NY1 Political Reporter Grace Rauh filed the following report from the campaign trail.

"It's a disrespect to the nation, to the flag, and to the military men and women who have put their life on the line and, in some cases, gave their life for this nation," Malliotakis told me.

Malliotakis is on the same page as the president when it comes to NFL players taking a knee.

"President Trump is right; the NFL should fire or fine those who disrespect both our flag and the millions of fans who ultimately pay their salaries," Malliotakis wrote in a statement Sunday night.

Malliotakis also seemed to encourage fans to punish the league until it takes action against protesting players. She said fans can exercise their rights by boycotting games and refusing to buy NFL memorabilia.

It's an abrupt change for de Blasio's challenger. Just last week, she was trying to create as much distance as possible between herself and the Republican in the White House, who is far from popular in the city. Last Tuesday, she said:

Rauh: What is Trump doing well right now?

Malliotakis: I don't know. I couldn't tell you.

The sudden shift has some speculating that Malliotakis is giving up on the mayor's race and is now playing to her Republican base on Staten Island. Perhaps, she is eyeing a future run for office in the borough down the line.

"People can interpret it as any way that they want," Malliotakis responded.

She tried to draw a somewhat confusing connection between her ties to Cuba and her position on the national anthem.

"I am the daughter of a Cuban refugee who fled her homeland in search of freedom because we don't have those types of freedoms," Malliotakis said. "Yes, they have the constitutional protection to do what they did, but it does not make it right."

"I disagree with the assembly member," de Blasio said. "I think it's a misreading of the American right to free speech."

Not surprisingly, de Blasio denounced the president's calls for football players to be fired if they refuse to stand for the national anthem. He did say, however, that he would not kneel.

"My personal approach is different. I believe in saluting that flag while working on that process of change," the mayor said. "But I will defend, 100 percent, their right to express their views. That's as American as it gets."

Malliotakis has always had a difficult path forward in the mayor election, but President Trump is not making it any easier.