The White House on Monday defended President Trump's comments condemning NFL players who take a knee during the national anthem. The president also says his criticism has nothing to do with race, but his critics disagree. Our Washington Bureau Reporter Alberto Pimienta has the story.

President Trump is in a war of words with the NFL. The president, who's known for not backing away from a fight, doubled down on his criticism Monday morning on Twitter:

"The issue of kneeling has nothing to do with race. It is about respect for our Country, Flag and National Anthem. NFL must respect this!" Trump tweeted.

It all started Friday night in a rally in Alabama. Since then, the president has been attacking NFL players who kneel during the national anthem as a sign of protest.

"Wouldn't you love to see one of these NFL owners, when somebody disrespects our flag, to say, 'Get that son of a b---h off the field right now! Out! He's fired. He's fired!" Trump said Friday to supporters.

The White House defended Trump's comments.

"This isn't about the president being against anyone," White House Press Secretary Sarah Huckabee Sanders said. "This is about the president and millions of Americans being for something, being for honoring our flag, honoring our national anthem."

Trump said this isn't a racial issue, but critics say that's not possible. The first one to kneel down during the anthem was former NFL Quarterback Colin Kaepernick, protesting police brutality against minorities.

"The president is not talking about race. The president is talking about pride in our country," Sanders said Monday. "I think that the focus has long since changed and certainly the message."

The president's words were met with rejection and defiance. More than 200 NFL players and team owners showed their discontent by kneeling and linking arms during the anthem before Sunday's games.

 "There are some who have criticized these athletes as unpatriotic, but their actions are uniquely American," New York Rep. Hakeem Jeffries said on the floor of the House of Representatives. "Liberty and justice for all is an American value."

"I think that is disrespectful to the soldiers and sailors and airmen and Marines that are fighting to protect our rights, and we have every bit of right to say, 'I disagree with your speech,'" Texas Sen. Ted Cruz said.

But the NFL is defending its players, saying they should be able to freely exercise their First Amendment right.

"Everyone should know, including the president, this is what real locker room talk is," NFL spokesman Joe Lockhart said in a statement.

Referencing a tape in which Trump was heard bragging about sexually assaulting women.