California Democrats don’t quite know what to expect from President Donald Trump’s newly established White House task force on the summer 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, but some are skeptical of the White House inserting itself.
Trump’s announcement on Tuesday that he was creating a federal task force to help with logistics including security was greeted with praise from a number of Democrats. But the announcement comes at a tense time in the city’s relationship with the Trump administration, after Trump sent National Guard and Marine troops into LA to quell protests over his immigration agenda.
Los Angeles City Council member Monica Rodriguez told NOTUS in a phone interview that she and her colleagues only learned about the task force when it was announced in the media.
“It seemed to come as a surprise to a number of colleagues,” Rodriguez said.
Rodriguez added that after the clashes with the Trump administration earlier this summer, she’s “concerned about what his intentions are, what tangible support is going to actually look like.”
Rodriguez said she has started talking to City of Los Angeles staff to better understand what the White House’s involvement means and explore ways to limit its say over planning the Olympics.
“If they can be hospitable to welcoming the world to visiting Los Angeles, and that those visitors aren’t concerned or under duress as they currently are for visiting our country,” Rodriguez said. “I think that would be a welcome shift.”
Another Democrat pushed back on the need for the White House to be so involved.
“He needs to get out of the way and let the Los Angeles Olympic Committee plan the Olympic Games,” Rep. Gil Cisneros said in a statement to NOTUS. “The only thing the federal government needs to do is provide the resources, as it has in the past, for Atlanta and Salt Lake City, and let the host city take charge.”
The White House touted the opportunities the games would bring for the country.
“By enlisting Cabinet Secretaries, state and local leaders, and other key officials, the Olympics Task Force will use a whole-of-administration approach to execute a successful 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, which requires major logistical planning and coordination across agencies,” deputy White House press secretary Anna Kelly told NOTUS. “With President Trump’s help, this unifying event will generate $18 billion in economic activity and support approximately 90,000 full-time jobs as our country comes together to celebrate sports and American greatness.”
The office of Mayor Karen Bass did not respond to a request for comment. But other Democratic public officials were much more open to White House involvement, including Gov. Gavin Newsom, who has a long history of clashing with Trump.
“We welcome the White House’s financial and logistical support for these global games that will showcase the vibrancy of California and the Los Angeles region,” Diana Crofts-Pelayo, a spokesperson for Newsom, told NOTUS in a statement. “We have already been meeting with federal, state and local partners to coordinate the logistics of major events like the Olympics, World Cup and upcoming Super Bowls.”
Rep. Sydney Kamlager-Dove, whose district includes portions of Los Angeles, echoed a similar viewpoint.
“I’m glad to see President Trump has followed through on this bipartisan effort,” she wrote on X shortly after news of Trump’s task force became public. “The Olympics must transcend politics and showcase the best of America. We need all hands on deck to ensure LA—and the U.S.—shine bright on the world stage.”
Kamlager-Dove led a bipartisan letter sent in April urging the White House to embrace “a whole-of-government” approach “with federal agencies working seamlessly alongside state and local partners, as well as the private sector.”
In the executive order announcing the task force, Trump named himself and Vice President JD Vance the chair and vice chair, respectively, of the 18-person task force. Other members include Cabinet members such as Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and Attorney General Pam Bondi.
The task force, according to the executive order, will “assist in the planning, organization, and execution of the events surrounding the Games.” A Trump administration official also told Reuters the task force would “streamline visa processing and credentialing for foreign athletes, coaches, officials, and media.” The White House’s press secretary, Karoline Leavitt, shared the article on her X account.
“With the creation of this taskforce, we’ve unlocked the opportunity to level up our planning and deliver the largest and greatest games for our nation ever,” Casey Wasserman, chair of LA28, the Olympic Games’ planning committee, said during Trump’s executive order signing. “We remain incredibly confident in our ability to deliver the greatest games ever and that starts with the support of this administration every step of the way.”
According to Newsom’s office, the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services has already coordinated a statewide task force to oversee state security preparations for Olympic events.
USA Today reported that during the executive order signing, Trump said he might call in National Guard troops and other members of the U.S. military to assist with security efforts at the Olympics, which made Los Angeles elected officials bristle.
“We do not anticipate any need for the National Guard or other military-style security,” Los Angeles City Council member Adrin Nazarian said in a statement to NOTUS. “Our LAPD, County Sheriff’s Department and local law enforcement are well prepared to provide the security we need for exciting, safe Olympic Games in 2028 just as they did in 1932 and 1984.”
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This story was produced as part of a partnership between NOTUS and NewsWell, home of Times of San Diego, Santa Barbara News-Press and Stocktonia.