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Donald Trump has repeatedly declared he would urge FIFA to pull upcoming World Cup games from a venue based on municipal politics, with Massachusetts now being the third such city to face such warnings from the American leader. Additionally, Trump remarked he would evaluate comparable measures against LA for the 2028 Olympics due to potential public safety risks.

Legal Authority and Informal Leverage

While Trump holds no official jurisdiction to personally cancel either event, he is able to lobby the respective governing bodies overseeing each event to move host cities.

Context of Remarks

The remarks were made during a press event with Argentinian president Milei, who was visiting the White House following the revelation of a multibillion-dollar rescue package for the South American nation. Near the close of the gathering, a media member asked Trump about a current public disturbance in Boston where police officers were assaulted and a police vehicle was ignited. The correspondent also asked if these incidents could cause the loss of hosting duties for the 48-team football competition.

“It's possible to take them away,” Trump stated concerning the soccer games, scheduled to be hosted at Gillette Stadium. “Their mayor is ineffective … she is far-left, and they are occupying sections of downtown. That’s a significant statement, don't you think?”

Street Takeovers and Political Context

Unauthorized gatherings, a digitally organized phenomenon where large crowds gather on public avenues late at night to conduct vehicular acrobatics, have emerged as a frequent problem in metropolitan centers since the lockdown restrictions. Latest incidents have become aggressive in the state, notably in Boston. However, these events are usually not seen as associated with any specific ideological group.

“In cases where a city is failing, and I feel exist dangerous circumstances, I would call the organization's president, who is phenomenal, and say we should relocate it to a different city,” he commented publicly. “And he would do that. He might not prefer doing it, but he'd agree. Without hesitation, he would.”

Political Connections

FIFA President has publicly acknowledged his strategies to be closely connected with the US leader prior to the upcoming World Cup, planned to be hosted in 11 cities across the America along with several in the northern neighbor and a few in Mexico. The FIFA president has been present at various White House events, facilitated Trump hand over the club tournament cup after that tournament’s final, and has even delayed his the group's assembly to travel with Trump on a trip to the Gulf states previously.

Previous Threats

This has not stopped, Trump from threatening the relocation of FIFA World Cup games from other US host cities. Recently, the Washington city and San Francisco faced similar comments, with Trump asserting both cities were “led by radical left lunatics who are clueless what they're managing,” while criticizing the public safety of both locales and implying that events could be shifted.

FIFA Response

FIFA vice-president Montagliani rejected Trump’s assertions when he responded days later at a event in England.

“It is our competition, our responsibility, the organization determines those decisions,” the vice-president stated. “Respectfully to sitting presidents, the sport is more important than political figures and the game will outlast their administration and their government. That’s the beauty of this sport, that it is more significant than any individual and more important than any country.”

Olympics Threat

Similarly, Trump’s reply to a inquiry about the Massachusetts city included a comparable warning regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“If I thought the city was not sufficiently organized, I would shift it to an alternate venue if necessary,” he said. “Regarding that event I’d probably have to get a varying consent, but we will do that.”

Any approval Trump mentioned would have to come via the IOC. Their leader, she, was elected to her position in spring and has yet to meet publicly with Trump, though she stated that she hopes for a meeting with him at eventually.

Further Comments

The former president also criticized Gavin Newsom’s management of this year’s blazes, stating that a comparable scenario could lead to the cancellation of the event.

“If he refuses to cooperate, we’re gonna have to be firm,” Trump said.

His message was similarly unambiguous for Boston.

“The city should improve their situation,” he said. “It's I can say.”