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Donald Trump has yet again declared he would urge FIFA to pull upcoming World Cup events from a designated city based on municipal politics, with the Boston region now being the third such city to encounter such warnings from the US president. Furthermore, Trump remarked he would consider comparable measures against LA for the upcoming Olympic Games due to potential safety issues.

Legal Authority and Possible Pressure

Although Trump holds no direct legal authority to unilaterally remove either competition, he is able to exert influence the international organizations managing each event to shift host cities.

Background of Comments

These remarks were made during a press event with Argentina's leader Milei, who was at the White House following the disclosure of a massive bailout for the Latin American country. Near the close of the gathering, a reporter asked Trump about a latest public disturbance in the city where authorities were targeted and a police vehicle was set on fire. The reporter also wondered if the situation could result in the loss of tournament responsibilities for the expanded World Cup.

“I would take them away,” the former president remarked regarding the FIFA World Cup matches, scheduled to be hosted at the Foxborough venue. “The city's leader is not good … she’s extremist, and activists are occupying sections of the city. That is a significant claim, don't you think?”

Public Gatherings and Political Context

Unauthorized gatherings, a social media-driven phenomenon where large crowds gather on public avenues during nighttime to perform stunts, have become a frequent issue in American cities since the coronavirus closures. Recent such gatherings have escalated into violence in Massachusetts, notably in downtown. Yet, these events are usually not considered associated with any specific ideological group.

“When a city is failing, and I feel there’s dangerous circumstances, I'd call the FIFA head, who is phenomenal, and tell him let’s move it to an alternate venue,” the former president stated on Tuesday. “And he would do that. He might not prefer the action, but he'd agree. Very easily, he’d do it.”

Political Connections

The organization's head has publicly acknowledged his efforts to be closely connected with Trump prior to the upcoming World Cup, scheduled to be organized in 11 cities across the America along with a couple in the northern neighbor and a few in the southern neighbor. The FIFA president has appeared at various White House functions, had Trump hand over the FIFA club trophy after that tournament’s final, and has even rescheduled his the group's assembly to travel with Trump on a trip to the Arab region previously.

Earlier Warnings

Despite this, Trump from suggesting the removal of soccer events from different locations. On September 25, Seattle and the Bay Area metropolis came under comparable statements, with Trump stating both urban centers were “run by ideological activists who don’t know what they're managing,” while questioning the security conditions of both cities and implying that games could be relocated.

Official Rebuttal

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

“This is the organization's event, under our authority, FIFA makes such choices,” he said. “Respectfully to national heads, the sport is more important than them and football will survive their tenure and their government. It's the strength of football, that it is transcends one leader and more important than a nation.”

LA Games Warning

Similarly, Trump’s response to a query about the Massachusetts city included a similar threat regarding the upcoming Summer Games.

“If I perceived LA was not sufficiently organized, I would shift it to a different city if necessary,” Trump stated. “Regarding that event I may have to get a varying permission, but we will proceed.”

The permission Trump alluded to would need to come via the Olympic governing body. Their leader, she, was elected to her post in March and has so far not meet publicly with him, but she stated that she desires a meeting with Trump at a future time.

Further Comments

Trump also criticized Gavin Newsom’s management of the LA wildfires, stating that a parallel incident could cause the removal of the Olympics.

“In case Newsom refuses to cooperate, we are going to have to be very tough,” the former president stated.

His message was equally clear for Boston.

“Boston should improve their situation,” he remarked. “That is my message.”