Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-OH) made waves this week when he suggested Los Angeles should be stripped of the 2028 Olympics due to the spiraling chaos triggered by anti-ICE protests and federal immigration enforcement operations. “We’d be better off as a nation moving the Olympics to a city that respects law and order,” Moreno declared during a Senate hearing. He even warned the 2026 FIFA World Cup games in L.A. could be at risk.

Violence and unrest have rocked the city for days after Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) launched a series of raids aimed at arresting and removing illegal aliens. The backlash was immediate and fierce—demonstrators hurled objects at police, blocked roads, and set fires. Law enforcement arrested over 40 individuals, yet the protests only intensified.

President Trump responded with decisive force, deploying 4,000 National Guard troops and additional U.S. Marines to secure the city. The administration framed the operation as necessary to restore peace and protect ICE agents facing violent resistance.

But Democrats quickly lined up to accuse Trump of escalating the crisis. California Governor Gavin Newsom accused the president of “manufacturing chaos” and labeled the federal deployment a “spectacle.” Trump’s opponents have claimed the crackdown is more about politics than public safety, even as fires burned and American flags were torched in the streets of L.A.

Still, Republicans argue the real danger isn’t Trump’s response—it’s the city’s failure to protect its residents and institutions. Oklahoma Senator James Lankford reminded the public that President Trump originally pushed for the Olympics to be hosted in the United States, and he reaffirmed the GOP’s commitment to showcasing America’s freedom and security.

“The United States is proud to welcome the world, but we must do so safely and responsibly,” Lankford said.

LA2028 CEO Reynold H. Hoover pushed back on the criticism, saying the city is still committed to delivering a world-class experience. “Only the best of America will be showcased,” he insisted.

But that’s not enough for Sen. Moreno and a growing number of Republicans, who believe Los Angeles has already shown it’s incapable of maintaining law and order on a global stage. The footage coming out of the city doesn’t help: protesters throwing eggs, burning flags, and even torching vehicles in the middle of intersections.

The White House’s critics continue to claim the situation is being exaggerated to justify federal crackdowns. But to everyday Americans watching the chaos unfold, the question is simple: if Los Angeles can’t handle a weekend of domestic enforcement, how will it manage the security demands of a global event like the Olympics?

Calls to reconsider L.A.’s Olympic hosting duties echo past decisions where security concerns forced event relocations. Whether that happens this time remains to be seen. But Trump allies aren’t letting up.

“Do we really want to invite tens of millions of people from across the world to a city where violent agitators are allowed to run wild and the leadership is more interested in defying the president than protecting its own citizens?” one senior Republican strategist asked.

It’s a stark contrast playing out in real time—Trump restoring order with a firm hand, and Democratic leaders accusing him of creating the problem. With 2026 and 2028 just around the corner, the world is watching. And if Moreno has his way, L.A. might be watching the Olympics from the sidelines.