Trump could crash Boston's World Cup party
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Illustration: Brendan Lynch/Axios
Deehan here with Spill of the Hill, my column unraveling Massachusetts politics.
No one really knows what would happen if President Trump picks June 3 through July 9 to launch a surge of immigration enforcement in Massachusetts while the World Cup is in town.
Why it matters: Massachusetts has been on edge for weeks over the possibility that the commonwealth could become the next target of Trump's immigration policies.
- If the crackdown comes while the world's eyes are on Foxborough, the Bay State could become the center of an international mess.
Catch up quick: The 2026 FIFA World Cup was pitched as an opportunity for unity, but Trump's hardline immigration policies and public spats with Massachusetts leaders mean we could be on a high-stakes collision course.
- The tension between federal enforcement and local sanctuary policies could disrupt travel, depress international attendance or even threaten the Boston matches themselves.
"We could take them away," Trump has said of the U.S. World Cup games, including the Foxborough matches.
- "I love the people of Boston, and I know the games are sold out. But your mayor is not good," Trump said after a spat with Mayor Michelle Wu over sanctuary policies.
What they're saying: Gov. Maura Healey has said ICE has "no respect for cities and states" and has called for agency leaders and Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem to step down.
- "They don't respect law enforcement because they've got this group of rogue individuals who, I guess, take in the bounty of $50K," Healey said, referring to ICE's signing bonus for recruits.
Yes, but: When asked last week what would happen if Trump centers his focus on the World Cup or on Massachusetts while an expected 2 million visitors are enjoying the games, she wouldn't say.
- "Donald Trump's got more to worry about right now. He's got a failing economy. He's got to step up and find ways to make life more affordable," she said.
Between the lines: What the governor left unsaid was how state officials, FIFA, local authorities in Foxborough and the group behind the Massachusetts matches would respond if Trump turned the World Cup into an opportunity for provocation.
- Healey didn't respond to a follow-up question about what she would do if Trump targets Massachusetts as the next Minnesota.