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Ex-president Trump has repeatedly stated he would urge FIFA to remove upcoming World Cup games from a venue based on the local governance, with Massachusetts emerging as the third targeted location to encounter such threats from the US president. Additionally, Trump indicated he would contemplate similar action against LA for the upcoming Olympic Games due to potential public safety risks.

Legal Authority and Possible Pressure

Even though Trump does not have formal power to personally cancel either competition, he is able to apply pressure the respective governing bodies in charge of each tournament to move locations.

Setting for Statements

These statements were made during a news conference with Argentina's leader Milei, who was at the presidential residence following the announcement of a massive bailout for the South American economy. At the conclusion of the gathering, a reporter inquired Trump about a recent “street takeover” in downtown Boston where authorities were assaulted and a cruiser was ignited. The correspondent also wondered if such events could result in the removal of organizing rights for the larger soccer tournament.

“I would take them away,” the former president remarked about the World Cup games, set to be held at Gillette Stadium. “She is ineffective … she’s extremist, and they’re occupying sections of downtown. It's a pretty big assertion, isn't it?”

Street Takeovers and Political Context

Street takeovers, a social media-driven occurrence where participants assemble on public avenues late at night to perform stunts, have become a repeated issue in US urban areas since the coronavirus closures. Current such gatherings have turned violent in the region, notably in downtown. Yet, these occurrences are typically not regarded as tied to any distinct political ideology.

“If a mayor is performing poorly, and I perceive there are dangerous circumstances, I will call Gianni [Infantino], who is phenomenal, and say let’s move it to another location,” he stated on Tuesday. “He'd do that. He may not enjoy to do it, but he'd agree. Readily, he'd comply.”

Political Connections

Gianni Infantino has been open his attempts to be publicly aligned with the former president before the upcoming World Cup, planned to be staged in numerous American venues across the America along with several in Canada and a few in Mexico. The FIFA president has appeared at various Oval Office events, arranged for Trump hand over the FIFA club trophy after that tournament’s final, and has even delayed his own organization’s congress to travel with Trump on a trip to the Gulf states previously.

Past Statements

Despite this, Trump from threatening the cancellation of World Cup games from other US host cities. In late September, Seattle and the Bay Area metropolis were parallel criticism, with Trump asserting both urban centers were “run by far-left extremists who are clueless what they’re doing,” while challenging the safety level of both areas and suggesting that events could be shifted.

FIFA Response

FIFA vice-president Montagliani rejected Trump’s statements when he reacted subsequently at a gathering in the UK capital.

“It’s our competition, our responsibility, the organization determines those decisions,” he declared. “Respectfully to national heads, soccer is more important than political figures and football will outlast their administration and their policies. That’s the beauty of this sport, that it is bigger than a single person and beyond individual states.”

Olympics Threat

During the event, Trump’s response to a inquiry about the Massachusetts city included a similar threat regarding the LA Olympic event.

“When I perceived LA was not prepared properly, I would shift it to an alternate venue if I had to,” he remarked. “Regarding that event I may have to secure a alternative approval, but we will do that.”

Official consent Trump mentioned would need to come via the Olympic governing body. Their leader, the newly elected president, was chosen to her post in spring and has so far not meet publicly with Trump, although she said that she hopes for a discussion with the US figure at eventually.

Further Comments

He also questioned Gavin Newsom’s handling of the LA wildfires, stating that a comparable scenario could cause the cancellation of the event.

“If Newsom is uncooperative, we’re gonna have to be very tough,” Trump said.

His message was just as clear for the Massachusetts city.

“They should address these issues,” he said. “That is my message.”