Less than three years before the Los Angeles Olympic Games, Donald Trump intends to play a central role in their organization. On Wednesday, the American president announced the creation of a working group he will personally lead, saying that he wanted to mobilize the entire federal government to guarantee the security and success of the event.
“We will do everything to make these games sure, including using the National Guard and active soldiers,” said Donald Trump during a ceremony at the White House, during which he signed the decree instituting this committee. The working group will include several ministers, close advisers and vice-president JD Vance, faithful support of the president.
Concerns of local elected officials
The presidential initiative already arouses the concern of certain local elected officials, as the tensions are lively between the White House and the Democratic Authorities of California. Last June, Donald Trump requisitioned the National Guard in California to restore order in Los Angeles after demonstrations against immigrant arrests, an exceptional decision taken without the approval of Governor Gavin Newsom.
The day before the announcement of the mobilization of troops, Donald Trump had again attacked the governor as well as the mayor of Los Angeles, Karen Bass, whom he described as “not very competent”, reproaching them mismanagement of the murderous fires that hit the city in January.
Political clashes in view
These attacks strengthen the fears of an Olympic organization marked by political clashes between the Republican Presidency and local democratic elected officials. Despite this tense climate, the American president posted a cordial agreement on Tuesday with Casey Wasserman, president of the organizing committee of Los Angeles 2028, who came specially at the White House.
“You supported us and helped us at every moment, and we would not be there today without you,” said Casey Wasserman, putting Donald Trump replicas of the 1984 games. The businessman had already worn the Olympic flame in New York before the Athens Games in 2004. This time, Casey Wasserman offered him The flame planned in the 50 states: “You are more than welcome. »»
The question of transgender athletes
True to his conservative positions on sport, the president also took advantage of his speech to discuss the participation of transgender people in competitions. “The United States will not let men steal the trophies to women during the Olympic Games 2018,” he said, reiterating a political line already materialized by several measures adopted since January.
Our file on the Los Angeles Olympics 2028
The city of Los Angeles was appointed in 2017 to host the 2028 Olympic and Paralympic Games, while Donald Trump began his first mandate. His second coincides also with another major sporting event: the 2026 World Cup, also organized in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
