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Donald Trump has yet again declared he would pressure FIFA to pull global soccer tournament matches from a venue based on the local political climate, with Massachusetts becoming the third targeted location to encounter such statements from the White House. Moreover, Trump suggested he would consider comparable measures against LA for the upcoming Olympic Games due to perceived public safety risks.

Legal Authority and Potential Influence

Although Trump does not have formal power to personally cancel either competition, he can apply pressure the international organizations managing each event to change locations.

Context of Remarks

These statements were made during a press event with Javier Milei, who was present in the presidential residence following the announcement of a massive financial assistance for the Latin American nation. At the close of the event, a reporter asked Trump about a latest “street takeover” in the city where police officers were targeted and a police vehicle was burned. The correspondent also questioned if such events could result in the removal of tournament responsibilities for the larger World Cup.

“It's possible to take them away,” he remarked about the FIFA World Cup matches, scheduled to be staged at Gillette Stadium. “The city's leader is poor … she’s far-left, and activists are occupying areas of downtown. It's a significant claim, isn't it?”

Urban Disturbances and Political Context

Public disruptions, a digitally organized trend where large crowds gather on city streets during nighttime to engage in dangerous driving, have been a frequent problem in American cities since the lockdown closures. Recent such gatherings have escalated into violence in the region, including the city. Nevertheless, these events are generally not regarded as tied to any distinct ideological group.

“In cases where a mayor is doing a bad job, and I perceive there’s security risks, I'd call the organization's president, who is phenomenal, and tell him let’s move it to an alternate venue,” Trump stated on Tuesday. “He'd do that. He might not prefer to do it, but he’d do it. Readily, he would.”

FIFA Relationship

Gianni Infantino has made no secret his attempts to be visibly associated with the former president before the upcoming World Cup, scheduled to be organized in multiple US locations across the US along with a couple in the northern neighbor and a few in the southern neighbor. The organization's leader has appeared at multiple Oval Office gatherings, had Trump hand over the FIFA club award after that tournament’s final, and has even rescheduled his FIFA's internal meeting to accompany Trump on a journey to the Middle East this year.

Past Statements

Nevertheless, Trump from suggesting the removal of soccer events from additional American venues. In late September, Seattle and San Francisco came under similar criticism, with Trump claiming both cities were “governed by far-left extremists who are clueless what they are doing,” while questioning the safety level of both areas and claiming that matches could be removed.

Official Rebuttal

The organization's deputy Montagliani rejected Trump’s statements when he responded days later at a event in London.

“It is our competition, under our authority, FIFA makes such choices,” Montagliani said. “Respectfully to current world leaders, the sport is more important than political figures and football will survive their tenure and their government. It's the strength of this sport, that it is transcends one leader and beyond any country.”

Olympics Threat

Similarly, Trump’s response to a inquiry about the Massachusetts city included a parallel statement regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“If I thought Los Angeles was failing to be prepared properly, I'd relocate it to a different city if necessary,” Trump stated. “For the Olympics I may have to secure a alternative consent, but we'd proceed.”

The permission Trump alluded to would need to come through the IOC. The leader, Kirsty Coventry, was elected to her position in March and has not yet hold a public appearance with Trump, though she stated that she desires a discussion with him at a future time.

Further Comments

He also condemned California governor Newsom’s response of this year’s California fires, remarking that a comparable scenario could lead to the cancellation of the Games.

“In case the governor refuses to cooperate, we are going to have to be strict,” he said.

His statement was just as unambiguous for the Massachusetts city.

“Boston should improve their situation,” he remarked. “That’s all I will say.”