Overview

• On August 5, President Trump signed an executive order creating and chairing the White House Olympics Task Force to oversee planning, security and logistics for the 2028 Games.
• He indicated he might deploy the National Guard or military to “keep the Olympics safe,” fueling concerns about securitization and civil-rights impacts.
• LA Times columnist Gustavo Arellano and reader letters have urged the city to withdraw from hosting, warning that Trump’s role could politicize the event and target non-American athletes.
• Despite promises of private funding, the City of Los Angeles remains responsible for the first $270 million of any cost overruns or revenue shortfalls.
• Some California Democrats are calling for the White House to step back from operational control while others welcome federal support for security coordination and visa processing.