President Trump to Launch Federal Task Force for 2028 Los Angeles Summer Olympics
On Tuesday, President Trump is set to announce the formation of a new federal task force aimed at overseeing the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, as confirmed by Variety. This significant event will include the presence of Olympic athletes and members from the U.S. Olympic and Paralympic Committees.
The task force is designed to be an intergovernmental initiative, incorporating collaboration among federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies and government bodies. According to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt, “During his first term, President Trump played a key role in securing America’s bid to host the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. The President views it as a tremendous honor to oversee this global sporting event during his second term. Sports are one of his greatest passions, and his unique blend of athletic insight and hospitality experience will ensure that these Olympic Games are unforgettable.”
Casey Wasserman, chairperson and president of LA28, expressed gratitude towards President Trump and his administration, stating, “On behalf of LA28, we deeply appreciate President Trump’s leadership and unwavering support as we gear up for the largest and most ambitious Olympic and Paralympic Games ever held in the United States. Since winning this historic opportunity in 2017, the President has consistently acknowledged the importance of our role in welcoming the world to Los Angeles. The establishment of this task force is a crucial step forward in our planning efforts and underscores our shared commitment to delivering not just the biggest, but the greatest Games the world has ever seen in the summer of 2028.”
While the creation of such a task force is not unprecedented in Olympic planning, it is typically led by law enforcement agencies. Historically, the federal government intervenes primarily to secure bids for cities before they are officially selected, rather than after.
However, Trump’s leadership of the L.A. Olympics may face opposition from state leaders, including Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom, particularly given the President’s history of conflicts with California’s government. In June, Trump approved a series of aggressive ICE raids in Los Angeles, which Mayor Bass condemned as a “reign of terror.” Additionally, he criticized Bass and Newsom’s handling of January’s wildfires in Los Angeles, attributing the challenges in managing them to their “gross incompetence.”
As anticipation builds for the 2028 Summer Olympics, the formation of this task force marks a pivotal moment in the planning process, with hopes of creating a memorable and historic event for athletes and spectators alike.
