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Ex-president Trump has repeatedly declared he would influence FIFA to remove upcoming World Cup games from a designated city based on municipal governance, with Massachusetts becoming the latest targeted location to face such warnings from the US president. Furthermore, Trump remarked he would consider similar action against Southern California for the upcoming Olympic Games due to possible public safety risks.

Legal Authority and Potential Influence

Although Trump holds no official jurisdiction to directly relocate either event, he can apply pressure the respective governing bodies managing each event to move locations.

Background of Comments

These comments were made during a press event with Javier Milei, who was visiting the presidential residence following the announcement of a massive rescue package for the South American economy. Toward the close of the meeting, a media member inquired Trump about a current “street takeover” in Boston where law enforcement were targeted and a police vehicle was set on fire. The reporter also questioned if such events could lead to the revocation of tournament responsibilities for the larger football competition.

“I would take them away,” Trump said regarding the FIFA World Cup games, planned to be hosted at Gillette Stadium. “Their mayor is not good … they're extremist, and they’re dominating areas of downtown. It's a significant statement, isn't it?”

Urban Disturbances and Ideological Perceptions

Public disruptions, a social media-driven trend where large crowds gather on public avenues during nighttime to engage in dangerous driving, have emerged as a ongoing nuisance in metropolitan centers since the lockdown restrictions. Latest such gatherings have become aggressive in the state, specifically in Boston. Yet, these gatherings are usually not seen as linked to any distinct ideological group.

“In cases where a mayor is failing, and I believe there’s dangerous circumstances, I will call the FIFA head, who is outstanding, and say we should relocate it to another location,” the former president said on Tuesday. “And he would do that. He may not enjoy the action, but he'd agree. Readily, he'd comply.”

FIFA Relationship

The organization's head has made no secret his attempts to be publicly aligned with the US leader before the upcoming World Cup, scheduled to be organized in 11 cities across the America along with two in Canada and a few in Mexico. The FIFA president has appeared at multiple presidential events, had Trump hand over the Club World Cup cup after the concluding game, and has even delayed his FIFA's internal meeting to travel with Trump on a visit to the Middle East this year.

Past Statements

Nevertheless, Trump from warning about the cancellation of World Cup games from other US host cities. Recently, the Washington city and San Francisco faced similar comments, with Trump claiming both cities were “led by ideological activists who don’t know what they're managing,” while questioning the security conditions of both cities and claiming that matches could be relocated.

FIFA Response

Victor Montagliani rejected Trump’s assertions when he commented days later at a gathering in the UK capital.

“This is our competition, our responsibility, we decide these matters,” the vice-president said. “Respectfully to national heads, soccer is more important than them and soccer will survive their regime and their government. That is the beauty of football, that it is more significant than a single person and more important than any country.”

Olympics Threat

On Tuesday, Trump’s response to a question about the Massachusetts city extended to a similar threat regarding the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

“If I thought LA was not prepared properly, I would move it to another location if I had to,” he remarked. “For the Olympics I might have to get a alternative consent, but we would take that action.”

Official consent Trump refers to would have to come via the International Olympic Committee (IOC). The president, Kirsty Coventry, was chosen to her position in spring and has yet to appear together with the former president, though she indicated that she would like a meeting with the US figure at a future time.

Further Comments

He also condemned California governor Newsom’s response of recent LA wildfires, stating that a comparable scenario could result in the relocation of the Games.

“In case the governor doesn’t play ball, we will have to be very tough,” the former president said.

His statement was similarly unambiguous for Boston.

“Boston must address these issues,” Trump stated. “That’s all I can say.”