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Donald Trump has repeatedly announced he would pressure FIFA to remove global soccer tournament games from a venue based on municipal politics, with the Boston region now being the third targeted location to encounter such threats from the White House. Additionally, Trump indicated he would consider similar action against Los Angeles for the upcoming Olympic Games due to potential security concerns.

Official Power and Informal Leverage

Although Trump lacks direct legal authority to directly relocate either competition, he is able to exert influence the international organizations managing each tournament to move venues.

Background of Comments

The statements were made during a news conference with Argentinian president Milei, who was present in the presidential residence following the announcement of a massive rescue package for the Argentine economy. Toward the close of the gathering, a journalist asked Trump about a recent “street takeover” in the city where law enforcement were targeted and a patrol car was set on fire. The reporter also questioned if these incidents could cause the loss of hosting duties for the expanded football competition.

“I would take them away,” he remarked regarding the soccer games, set to be held at the Massachusetts arena. “She is poor … they're far-left, and they are occupying sections of downtown. It's a significant claim, isn't it?”

Street Takeovers and Ideological Perceptions

Public disruptions, a digitally organized trend where groups of people assemble on urban roads late at night to perform stunts, have become a frequent nuisance in metropolitan centers since the Covid-19 pandemic shutdowns. Latest such gatherings have escalated into violence in the region, specifically in the city. However, these occurrences are typically not considered linked to any specific ideological group.

“In cases where someone is doing a bad job, and I feel exist unsafe conditions, I'd call the FIFA head, who is outstanding, and tell him let’s move it to a different city,” the former president commented publicly. “He'd do that. He might not prefer doing it, but he would comply. Without hesitation, he'd comply.”

Organizational Alignment

FIFA President has publicly acknowledged his efforts to be closely connected with the US leader before next year’s tournament, set to be organized in numerous American venues across the United States along with several in Canada and a few in the southern neighbor. The FIFA president has been present at various presidential functions, facilitated Trump deliver the club tournament trophy after the concluding game, and has even delayed his FIFA's internal meeting to travel with Trump on a visit to the Arab region previously.

Past Statements

Nevertheless, Trump from warning about the removal of FIFA World Cup events from different locations. On September 25, the Washington city and San Francisco came under comparable statements, with Trump asserting both locations were “governed by ideological activists who are clueless what they're managing,” while criticizing the safety level of both cities and claiming that games could be shifted.

Official Rebuttal

FIFA vice-president Montagliani dismissed Trump’s assertions when he responded days later at a event in the UK capital.

“It is our competition, under our authority, we decide those decisions,” the vice-president stated. “Respectfully to national heads, football is more important than any individual and the game will survive their administration and their policies. It's the strength of our game, that it is bigger than any individual and bigger than any country.”

LA Games Warning

Similarly, Trump’s reply to a query about Boston included a comparable warning regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“In case I perceived LA was failing to be sufficiently organized, I will relocate it to another location if I had to,” he remarked. “Regarding that event I may have to secure a alternative approval, but we would proceed.”

The permission Trump refers to would need to come via the Olympic governing body. The head, the newly elected president, was chosen to her position in March and has so far not meet publicly with him, but she said that she would like a meeting with the US figure at some point.

Other Remarks

Trump also questioned California governor Newsom’s handling of this year’s blazes, remarking that a similar situation could cause the cancellation of the Olympics.

“In case the governor is uncooperative, we are going to have to be very tough,” Trump stated.

The warning was equally clear for Boston.

“They must improve their situation,” Trump stated. “It's my message.”