Los Angeles city officials are pressing for more clarity regarding federal involvement in security preparations for the 2028 Olympic Games. The Los Angeles City Council unanimously voted Tuesday to request a detailed report from LA28, the nonprofit organizing the Games, on the scope and influence of a federal task force established last year.
Federal Oversight of LA Olympics Sparks City Council Concerns
The move reflects growing unease about potential federal overreach and its impact on local communities during the Games.
- The City Council is seeking clarity on the federal government’s role in policing the 2028 Olympics.
- Concerns center on the potential for increased presence of federal agents, particularly Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE).
- LA28 has faced criticism for adding allies of former president Donald Trump to its board of directors.
A: The main concerns revolve around potential overreach by federal agencies, particularly regarding immigration enforcement, and the impact on vulnerable communities in Los Angeles.
LA28 has also faced scrutiny for adding several prominent allies of former President Donald Trump to its board of directors last year, shifting the board’s composition to give Trump allies representation nearly equal to that of the city’s six appointees.
Limited Enforcement Power for City Council
The motion passed Tuesday directs LA28 to report on how the federal security task force will affect the city’s Olympic planning and to “include guidance on what guardrails the City can enact to ensure that the City’s most vulnerable communities are protected.” However, the City Council’s ability to enforce its request appears limited.
The existing contract between the city and LA28 requires the organizing committee to update the city on any engagement with federal authorities that “relates materially to the City” and to provide periodic updates on the event’s national security designation. However, the council’s specific request for details about the federal task force doesn’t fall neatly into any of the categories outlined in the agreement.
Gabriel Avalos, a spokesperson for Councilmember Rodriguez, acknowledged via text message that the City Council cannot compel LA28 to respond to the motion, characterizing the request as simply that-a request. “Now the ball is simply in their court,” Avalos added.
LA28 did not instantly respond to a request for comment on the city council’s action, and no deadline was specified for a response.
