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Donald Trump has yet again announced he would influence FIFA to relocate upcoming World Cup matches from a designated city based on municipal politics, with the Boston region now being the third targeted location to receive such threats from the White House. Moreover, Trump indicated he would contemplate comparable measures against Southern California for the upcoming Olympic Games due to perceived public safety risks.

Official Power and Possible Pressure

Although Trump does not have official jurisdiction to unilaterally remove either competition, he can lobby the international organizations managing each competition to change host cities.

Background of Comments

His statements were made during a news conference with Argentinian president Milei, who was present in the executive mansion following the announcement of a massive financial assistance for the Argentine nation. At the close of the meeting, a media member questioned Trump about a recent unauthorized gathering in the city where authorities were assaulted and a cruiser was burned. The correspondent also asked if these incidents could lead to the revocation of tournament responsibilities for the expanded soccer tournament.

“It's possible to take them away,” he stated about the soccer matches, planned to be staged at Gillette Stadium. “She is ineffective … they're extremist, and activists are dominating areas of Boston. That is a major assertion, isn't it?”

Public Gatherings and Ideological Perceptions

Public disruptions, a online-fueled phenomenon where participants congregate on public avenues late at night to engage in dangerous driving, have become a ongoing issue in American cities since the coronavirus closures. Current such gatherings have become aggressive in the region, including Boston. However, these occurrences are generally not considered associated with any distinct ideological group.

“When a city is performing poorly, and I feel there’s security risks, I will call the organization's president, who is excellent, and suggest we should relocate it to an alternate venue,” he said on Tuesday. “He will do that. He may not enjoy to do it, but he’d do it. Without hesitation, he would.”

Organizational Alignment

FIFA President has publicly acknowledged his attempts to be visibly associated with Trump ahead of the upcoming World Cup, set to be staged in 11 cities across the United States along with a couple in Canada and three in Mexico. The FIFA president has participated at multiple White House gatherings, had Trump hand over the club tournament award after the championship match, and has even delayed his own organization’s congress to join Trump on a visit to the Arab region this year.

Previous Threats

This has not stopped, Trump from suggesting the relocation of FIFA World Cup games from additional American venues. Recently, the Washington city and San Francisco were similar comments, with Trump stating both locations were “governed by radical left lunatics who lack understanding what they are doing,” while challenging the security conditions of both cities and claiming that events could be removed.

FIFA Response

The organization's deputy Montagliani rebuffed Trump’s claims when he commented afterward at a conference in the UK capital.

“This is FIFA’s tournament, FIFA’s jurisdiction, FIFA makes these matters,” the vice-president said. “With all due respect to national heads, soccer is transcends political figures and football will endure their regime and their leadership. It's the strength of this sport, that it is transcends a single person and bigger than any country.”

LA Games Warning

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

“When I thought Los Angeles was not sufficiently organized, I would shift it to an alternate venue if I had to,” he said. “For the Olympics I’d probably have to obtain a varying consent, but we would do that.”

Any approval Trump alluded to would have to come through the International Olympic Committee (IOC). Their head, the newly elected president, was selected to her role in this year and has not yet appear together with Trump, although she stated that she would like a discussion with the US figure at eventually.

Other Remarks

He also criticized California governor Newsom’s management of the blazes, remarking that a comparable scenario could result in the cancellation of the Games.

“In case the governor doesn’t play ball, we are going to have to be firm,” he said.

His message was equally direct for Boston.

“They must clean up their act,” he remarked. “That’s all my message.”