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Ex-president Trump has yet again announced he would pressure FIFA to remove upcoming World Cup events from a designated city based on that city's governance, with Boston becoming the third targeted location to receive such warnings from the White House. Moreover, Trump remarked he would evaluate comparable measures against LA for the 2028 Olympics due to perceived security concerns.

Jurisdictional Limits and Possible Pressure

Even though Trump holds no direct legal authority to unilaterally remove either event, he is able to exert influence the international organizations in charge of each competition to shift venues.

Setting for Statements

These statements were made during a media briefing with Argentinian president Milei, who was present in the executive mansion following the revelation of a multibillion-dollar rescue package for the South American nation. At the end of the gathering, a reporter inquired Trump about a current “street takeover” in Boston where police officers were targeted and a patrol car was burned. The journalist also questioned if the situation could cause the loss of tournament responsibilities for the 48-team soccer tournament.

“It's possible to take them away,” Trump remarked concerning the FIFA World Cup games, set to be staged at Gillette Stadium. “The city's leader is not good … she’s far-left, and they are occupying sections of downtown. That’s a significant claim, right?”

Public Gatherings and Public Safety Concerns

Street takeovers, a online-fueled phenomenon where groups of people congregate on public avenues after dark to perform stunts, have been a frequent problem in metropolitan centers since the Covid-19 pandemic closures. Latest such gatherings have become aggressive in the region, specifically in downtown. However, these events are generally not seen as associated with any particular political ideology.

“If a city is performing poorly, and I believe there’s unsafe conditions, I will call Gianni [Infantino], who is phenomenal, and say it should be shifted to an alternate venue,” the former president said on Tuesday. “He will do that. He wouldn’t love doing it, but he’d do it. Readily, he'd comply.”

FIFA Relationship

The organization's head has made no secret his strategies to be visibly associated with the US leader ahead of next year’s tournament, scheduled to be hosted in multiple US locations across the US along with two in Canada and three in Mexico. The organization's leader has been present at multiple presidential events, arranged for Trump deliver the FIFA club cup after the championship match, and has even postponed his own organization’s congress to travel with Trump on a trip to the Gulf states previously.

Earlier Warnings

Despite this, Trump from threatening the cancellation of World Cup games from other US host cities. In late September, the Washington city and San Francisco came under similar criticism, with Trump stating both cities were “led by radical left lunatics who lack understanding what they're managing,” while criticizing the public safety of both areas and implying that games could be relocated.

FIFA Response

Victor Montagliani rejected Trump’s claims when he commented days later at a event in London.

“This is our competition, under our authority, FIFA makes such choices,” the vice-president said. “With all due respect to sitting presidents, soccer is bigger than political figures and football will endure their tenure and their government. It's the beauty of our game, that it is more significant than any individual and bigger than any country.”

2028 Comments

During the event, Trump’s answer to a inquiry about Boston extended to a similar threat regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“If I thought LA was failing to be sufficiently organized, I will shift it to an alternate venue as needed,” Trump stated. “On that one I might have to obtain a different kind of approval, but we will proceed.”

The permission Trump refers to would must come through the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The leader, the newly elected president, was chosen to her role in this year and has yet to meet publicly with the former president, although she said that she hopes for a meeting with him at eventually.

Further Comments

He also criticized Gavin Newsom’s response of the blazes, remarking that a parallel incident could result in the removal of the Olympics.

“If the governor doesn’t play ball, we’re gonna have to be strict,” he commented.

His message was just as direct for Boston.

“The city better address these issues,” Trump stated. “That is I can say.”