Concerns over federal funding for L.A. Olympics raised by state lawmakers

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SACRAMENTO — As Los Angeles prepares to host the 2028 Olympics, state lawmakers are raising concerns that potential clashes with President Trump could cause chaos.State Sen.Susan Rubio (D-Baldwin Park), speaking at a legislative hearing this week on the 2028 Games, expressed concern about Trump’s animosity toward California and questioned whether that could affect the federal financial support that is essential to the Olympics.“I know we rely a lot on the federal funding,” Rubio said.

“Can you assure me that we’re not going to be left in the middle of the planning carrying the bag?”Rubio was addressing Joey Freeman, the vice president of state affairs for the LA28 Organizing Committee, who testified before lawmakers.Freeman assured legislators that the organizing committee had a “wonderful working relationship” with the Trump administration.He said the committee successfully advocated for $1 billion in federal funds for state and local law enforcement, and $94 million to boost transportation planning.LA28 leaders previously projected that the Games will cost more than $7.1 billion.

They’ve said the money will come from a mix of sources, including corporate sponsors, ticket sales, merchandise, the federal government and the International Olympic Committee.Rubio, however, said she remained worried that the federal dollars could fall through.“As a state, our funding is also stretched thin, and at the end of the day we don’t want to have to step in to save the Olympics,” Rubio said.Several other concerns were raised during the roughly three-hour hearing, including questions about how to best protect visitors and participants from federal immigration raids.The Trump administration’s increased enforcement actions by Immigration and Customs Enforcement and U.S.

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