In a scathing criticism, U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy has publicly rebuked LA officials for what he deems a deficient handling of the recent riots that disrupted the city's transit systems. According to a release on the Department of Transportation website, Duffy condemned LA Mayor Karen Bass and California Governor Gavin Newsom for their perceived inaction, causing concern for the upcoming 2026 FIFA World Cup and 2028 Olympics.
The Transportation Secretary claimed that if it weren't for President Donald Trump's intervention, Los Angeles might still be suffering the aftermath of the violent protests. “Gavin Newsom and Karen Bass failed to show up for Angelenos as their city was terrorized by anti-ICE riots. If President Donald Trump hadn’t stepped in and sent the National Guard and Marines in, LA would still be on fire,” Duffy stated. He expressed grave concerns about the city's capabilities to safely manage international events slated to be held in the next few years. Federal assistance was required to quickly restore some semblance of order, casting doubt on local leadership prowess, according to the press release.
Secretary Duffy has demanded a report from Mayor Bass detailing the response to the transit disruptions, including the collaboration between the LAPD, transit police, and federal law enforcement to rein in the disorder. He also asked for a rundown of protocols to handle future disturbances and measures to ensure the safety and punctuality of transportation during the high-profile sporting events.
Addressing the LA County Metropolitan Transportation Authority (LACMTA) CEO Stephanie Wiggins, Duffy called for specifics on preventive strategies for crime and fare evasion, as well as plans to maintain a clean environment for transit users. This correspondence follows earlier letters sent to other major metro transit authorities, as part of a nationwide effort purportedly to up the ante on public transit safety and security. As Secretary Duffy said, “If this was a preview of their leadership ahead of next year’s World Cup games and the LA 2028 Olympics, we have bigger problems.” From federally funded transit systems being brought to a halt, to the potential jeopardy of foreign and domestic visitors, the urgency to address these lapses was clearly outlined, as reported by the Department of Transportation.
Every city that hosts global events like the Olympics or the FIFA World Cup faces intense international attention. In Los Angeles, the U.S. Department of Transportation is pushing city officials to ensure that federally funded infrastructure can handle the major spike in demand expected during the 2028 Olympics. The goal is to avoid problems seen in past host cities, where traffic chaos above ground led to failures in the transportation systems below.
