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Ex-president Trump has yet again stated he would influence FIFA to remove global soccer tournament games from a venue based on the local governance, with the Boston region emerging as the third targeted location to face such warnings from the American leader. Moreover, Trump suggested he would consider similar action against Los Angeles for the 2028 Olympics due to perceived safety issues.

Official Power and Potential Influence

Although Trump does not have official jurisdiction to unilaterally remove either competition, he is able to exert influence the organizing committees overseeing each tournament to move locations.

Context of Remarks

The remarks were made during a news conference with Argentinian president Milei, who was visiting the executive mansion following the announcement of a massive bailout for the South American country. Near the conclusion of the event, a reporter questioned Trump about a current public disturbance in downtown Boston where law enforcement were attacked and a patrol car was set on fire. The correspondent also questioned if the situation could lead to the removal of hosting duties for the 48-team soccer tournament.

“I would take them away,” the former president said regarding the FIFA World Cup games, planned to be held at the Massachusetts arena. “She is poor … she’s far-left, and they are dominating sections of downtown. That’s a significant assertion, don't you think?”

Public Gatherings and Public Safety Concerns

Unauthorized gatherings, a social media-driven trend where groups of people assemble on city streets during nighttime to perform stunts, have become a repeated issue in American cities since the lockdown closures. Latest similar events have turned violent in Massachusetts, specifically in downtown. However, these occurrences are typically not considered associated with any distinct ideological group.

“In cases where a mayor is performing poorly, and I perceive there are unsafe conditions, I will call Gianni [Infantino], who is phenomenal, and say we should relocate it to an alternate venue,” Trump stated publicly. “He'd do that. He might not prefer the action, but he'd agree. Without hesitation, he'd comply.”

FIFA Relationship

Gianni Infantino has been open his efforts to be publicly aligned with the US leader ahead of the upcoming World Cup, scheduled to be staged in multiple US locations across the America along with several in the northern neighbor and three in Mexico. The FIFA president has been present at multiple Oval Office gatherings, arranged for Trump deliver the Club World Cup award after the concluding game, and has even delayed his FIFA's internal meeting to join Trump on a journey to the Arab region previously.

Previous Threats

This has not stopped, Trump from warning about the removal of World Cup events from additional American venues. In late September, the Washington city and the Bay Area metropolis came under parallel criticism, with Trump asserting both cities were “governed by ideological activists who are clueless what they're managing,” while questioning the safety level of both locales and suggesting that matches could be removed.

Official Rebuttal

Victor Montagliani dismissed Trump’s statements when he responded subsequently at a conference in the UK capital.

“It’s the organization's event, under our authority, FIFA makes those decisions,” he said. “Politely to current world leaders, soccer is more important than any individual and soccer will outlast their administration and their policies. That is the essence of our game, that it is bigger than any individual and beyond individual states.”

2028 Comments

During the event, Trump’s response to a query about Boston included a similar threat regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“In case I believed LA was not going to be sufficiently organized, I'd shift it to a different city as needed,” he said. “Regarding that event I’d probably have to obtain a different kind of permission, but we'd proceed.”

The permission Trump alluded to would need to come via the IOC. Their head, she, was chosen to her position in March and has so far not meet publicly with the former president, but she indicated that she hopes for a meeting with him at some point.

Other Remarks

He also condemned California governor Newsom’s response of this year’s California fires, remarking that a similar situation could result in the cancellation of the Olympics.

“If Newsom doesn’t play ball, we will have to be very tough,” Trump stated.

His message was just as direct for Boston.

“Boston should address these issues,” he remarked. “It's I can say.”