President Donald Trump on Tuesday named himself the chairman of a new task force he created to oversee the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California.
Vice President JD Vance is set to serve as the initiative’s Vice Chair, according to the executive order Trump signed creating the task force. The task force’s membership also includes Cabinet-level officials from heads of agencies such as the state, defense, Homeland Security, FBI, justice, and transportation departments.
The task force will coordinate security and planning for the Games with local and state officials, while also working to “streamline visa processing and credentialing for foreign athletes, coaches, officials, and media.”
Around 15,000 athletes are expected to compete in the Games, which will cost an estimated $7 billion to host and are set to attract millions of visitors to Los Angeles.
Trump’s “big, beautiful” tax cuts bill that he signed into law last month secured $1 billion for security, planning, and other costs related to the 2028 Olympics.
The president mused on the security element Wednesday, telling event attendees he would use the military if necessary to keep the high-profile event safe. His promise comes as Los Angeles, where the Games will be held in three years, has been the site of unrest in recent months, when protests against ICE turned, at times, into riotous attacks on law enforcement.
“We’ll do anything necessary to keep the Olympics safe, including using our National Guard or military,” Trump said during the White House ceremony where he signed the executive order, which was attended by figures such as former Olympic gymnast Nastia Liukin, Paralympic swimmer Brad Snyder, and Casey Wasserman, the chairperson of the 2028 Los Angeles organizing committee.
“I will use the National Guard or military, this is going to be so safe, if we have to,” the president added.
While it is not uncommon for the White House to become involved in similar events, Trump’s personal involvement as the chairman of the White House Olympics task force is rare. The president’s move comes as he has expressed enthusiasm for the Games, revealing they will be one of the highlights of his presidency.
“America is a nation of champions, and in July 2028, we’ll show the world what America does best, and that’s win,” he said. “We’re winning like we have never won before…It’s going to be amazing.”
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Wasserman said the task force “marks an important step forward in our planning efforts and reflects our shared commitment to delivering not just the biggest, but the greatest Games the world has ever seen in the summer of 2028.”
“You’ve been supportive and helpful every step of the way, and we wouldn’t be here without you, so we greatly appreciate it,” he added in remarks pointed to Trump. “In just 1,074 days − yes we’re counting, sir − the eyes of the world will be on this country…These will be truly America’s Games.”