United States Vice President Mike Pence walked out of a recent NFL game between the Indianapolis Colts and the San Francisco 49ers because several players kneeled during the national anthem.

Shortly after walking out, he posted a series of tweets defending his decision to exit the game.

“While everyone is entitled to their own opinions, I don’t think it’s too much to ask NFL players to respect our Flag and our National Anthem,” Pence posted after he left the game.

The incident quickly became controversial as many people supported and criticized Pence’s decision to leave the game and the tweets that followed after. Tensions also rose after President Trump tweeted that he informed Pence to leave if any players kneeled.

“I asked @VPPence to leave stadium if any players kneeled, disrespecting our country. I am proud of him and @SecondLadyKaren,” Trump tweeted on Sunday afternoon.

The clearly planned walk out of the game left people with many questions regarding the intentions behind it. Questions were brought up that factored in the cost of purchasing tickets and flying Pence to a game that he was intended to simply leave before it even started. With the recent tragedies in Las Vegas and environmental disasters in California, many felt that the country’s officials could have spent their time with more productive matters.

Pence’s walk out seems to uncover an inconsistency in viewpoints. Both Trump and Pence feel as though their orchestrated protest was in defense of patriotism while the kneeling players feel that their protest is bringing light to the perceived social injustice over the past several years. While each point is valid in itself, the participation of the President and Vice President complicates the situation.

It is important for the country’s officials to uphold the values and rights associated with the United States. However, these values also include freedom of speech and expression.

Opinions about the subject of the protest aside, it is concerning to see the President and Vice President going out of their way to mock these peaceful protests in the manner that they did at the NFL game. No matter what opinion is expressed, many would agree that the country’s officials could have handled it in a more respectful manner than through rants on Twitter.