Massachusetts Gov. Maura Healey calls Trump World Cup threat ‘political theater’

Gov Maura Healey is labeling President Donald Trump s threat to take away World Cup matches slated to be held in Massachusetts next year as political theater saying his warning doesn t make any sense The governor has responded to comments Trump made earlier this week that if Boston did not get tough on crime the president would recommend that FIFA move matches out of Gillette Stadium in Foxboro miles south of the city Oh God Come on That s just more political theater Healey stated when required for what her message would be to Trump in response to the president s stance I don t know I don t think so I think it doesn t make any sense the governor added on whether she thinks Trump has the power to make such a decision on the location of matches I think the Krafts and everybody who s been working hard on this and in other cities around the United States has this under control That s just Another day another Donald Trump comment You gotta understand what that is FIFA stated on Wednesday that the U S executive has the power to move World Cup matches This is a change from Victor Montagliani the vice president of the global soccer body saying earlier this month that FIFA has jurisdiction over where matches are played Safety and prevention are the top priorities at all FIFA events worldwide FIFA noted in a message Safety and safeguard are obviously the governing body s responsibility and they decide what is in the best interest for constituents safety We hope every one of our host cities will be ready to successfully host and fulfill all necessary requirements Montagliani had previously explained With all due respect to current world leaders football is bigger than them and football will survive their regime and their cabinet and their slogans Though Boston will be one of the host communities in the U S no matches will literally be held in the city Gillette Stadium operated by Robert Kraft a Trump ally who owns the Patriots in the NFL and Revolution in the MLS is set to host seven matches in suburban Foxboro next summer We could take them away Trump noted of the matches that he acknowledged were already sold out FIFA released Thursday that over million tickets have already been sold drawing fans from countries and territories and the highest demand from the U S Canada and Mexico If somebody is doing a bad job and if I feel there s unsafe conditions Trump reported at the White House on Tuesday I would call Gianni the head of FIFA who s phenomenal and I would say Let s move into another location and they would do that Trump was referring to FIFA head Gianni Infantino He revealed Infantino wouldn t love to do it but he d do it very easily I love the people of Boston and I know the games are sold out But your mayor is not good the president commented He called Mayor Michelle Wu intelligent but radical left The tournament is expected to bring billion in local economic impact create over jobs and generate more than million of tax revenue throughout the region according to organizers They also expect that more than million visitors will come to New England throughout the tournament s -day span I was a little curious Healey commented of Trump s comments because of syllabus the games are in Foxboro and I think Robert Kraft and the association have safety well in hand I ll also say that Massachusetts we remain among the safest states in the country because of the incredible work done by law enforcement at the local and state level And we re just going to continue to do that Healey made her stance at a news conference on Thursday in which she declared that local executives issued civil citations and made seven arrests after she ordered a crackdown on illegal street takeovers Wu responded to Trump s remarks on the local radio show Java with Jimmy on Wednesday Much of it is locked down by contract so that no single person even if they live in the White House at this moment can undo it the mayor explained on whether she considered Trump has the power to move World Cup matches We re in a world where for drama for control for pushing the boundaries ongoing threats are issued to individuals and communities who refuse to back down and comply or be obedient to a hateful agenda The Associated Press contributed to this record