Boston, October 15, 2025
News Summary
President Donald Trump has threatened to move the 2026 World Cup games scheduled for Boston due to escalating street takeovers involving illegal racing and violence against police. The alarming trend has led to arrests and calls for stricter penalties from Massachusetts lawmakers. Local officials are deeply concerned about the public safety implications of these events, which have drawn significant crowds and prompted aggressive responses from law enforcement.
Boston
Breaking: Trump threatens to relocate 2026 World Cup games over violent street takeovers in Boston area
The White House message from President Donald Trump raised the possibility of moving the 2026 World Cup games scheduled for the Boston area in response to a recent surge in street takeovers that have included illegal street racing and violence against police. The issue has drawn responses from local and state officials, prompted arrests tied to a major October takeover in Boston, and spurred discussion of tougher penalties from Massachusetts lawmakers.
Key facts
- Threat to World Cup games: President Donald Trump said he could take away the 2026 World Cup games scheduled for the Boston area in response to increasing street takeovers involving illegal street racing and violence against police.
- Geographic scope: The street takeovers occurred in Boston and nearby communities like Dedham, Fall River, Middleborough, and Randolph.
- Major October 5 incident: Over 100 people took part in a takeover that involved street racing in Boston on October 5, resulting in attempts to attack police with fireworks, cones, and poles.
- Arrests and charges: Two participants, Julian Bowers (18) and William Cantwell (19) from Rhode Island, were arrested during the Boston takeover and charged with several offenses, including assault on police officers.
- Violence against police: During a takeover in Boston, a police cruiser was set on fire after being hit with a lit firework, and another police cruiser was set on fire and required towing when officers tried to manage a takeover.
- Officials’ reactions: The Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association president, Larry Calderone, described participants in the street takeovers as hell-bent on attacking law enforcement. Police Commissioner Michael Cox said the street takeovers represent a growing trend of aggression towards law enforcement as these events are increasingly mobilized via social media. Governor Maura Healey has strongly condemned the violent behavior seen at these events and has called for a zero tolerance approach to street takeovers.
- Wider trend: Similar street takeover incidents have emerged across various states recently, prompting legislative action as officials push back against the reckless gatherings.
- Public safety impact: More than 200 civilians gathered, leading to dangerous situations, including emergency vehicles being impeded, and some individuals allegedly wearing masks to conceal their identities during takeovers.
- Legislative response: Massachusetts lawmakers are considering legislation to increase penalties for participants in street takeovers, including elevating assault on police from a misdemeanor to a felony.
- Possible FIFA contact: Trump mentioned he might contact FIFA’s Gianni Infantino to discuss moving the World Cup games if the situation in Boston does not improve.
What happened
Law enforcement in Boston and nearby towns reported multiple coordinated street takeover events. On October 5, more than 100 people engaged in street racing in Boston while a crowd attempted to attack officers with fireworks, traffic cones, and poles. During that incident, two Rhode Island residents were arrested and charged. In separate instances earlier this month, incidents were reported across three Boston neighborhoods and other locations where crowds attacked police cruisers and at least one cruiser was set on fire after being struck by a lit firework.
Official statements and responses
Federal and local officials have framed the takeovers as a rising public safety threat. President Donald Trump linked the local violence to potential consequences for major events planned in the region, saying he could remove scheduled World Cup matches from the Boston area if conditions do not improve. State leaders, including Governor Maura Healey, called for a zero tolerance approach to stop the takeovers. Local police leaders described the behavior as increasingly aggressive and organized, in part through social media mobilization.
Law enforcement and legal actions
Police reported multiple damaged vehicles, impeded emergency response access, and masked participants in several takeovers. Arrests from the October 5 event included Julian Bowers (18) and William Cantwell (19) from Rhode Island, who face charges that include assault on police officers. Lawmakers in Massachusetts said they are weighing legal changes to raise penalties for participants, including elevating assault on police from a misdemeanor to a felony, to deter future gatherings.
Context and wider implications
The pattern of street takeovers has extended beyond Massachusetts, with similar incidents emerging across various states recently. Officials in multiple jurisdictions are examining enforcement, social media monitoring, and legal penalties. The combination of violent behavior, public disruption, and threats to major scheduled events has increased pressure on city and state leaders to present clear plans for enforcement and public safety ahead of large international events in the region.
FAQ
Q: What did President Donald Trump say about the 2026 World Cup games?
A: President Donald Trump said he could take away the 2026 World Cup games scheduled for the Boston area in response to increasing street takeovers involving illegal street racing and violence against police.
Q: Where have the street takeovers occurred?
A: The street takeovers occurred in Boston and nearby communities like Dedham, Fall River, Middleborough, and Randolph.
Q: What happened on October 5?
A: Over 100 people took part in a takeover that involved street racing in Boston on October 5, resulting in attempts to attack police with fireworks, cones, and poles.
Q: Were there arrests?
A: Two participants, Julian Bowers (18) and William Cantwell (19) from Rhode Island, were arrested during the Boston takeover and charged with several offenses, including assault on police officers.
Q: How have officials described the participants?
A: The Boston Police Patrolmen’s Association president, Larry Calderone, described participants in the street takeovers as hell-bent on attacking law enforcement.
Q: What have state leaders proposed?
A: Massachusetts lawmakers are considering legislation to increase penalties for participants in street takeovers, including elevating assault on police from a misdemeanor to a felony.
Q: Is this problem limited to Massachusetts?
A: Similar street takeover incidents have emerged across various states recently, prompting legislative action as officials push back against the reckless gatherings.
Q: Did the President say he might contact FIFA?
A: Trump mentioned he might contact FIFA’s Gianni Infantino to discuss moving the World Cup games if the situation in Boston does not improve.
Quick reference table
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Primary location | Boston (incidents also in Dedham, Fall River, Middleborough, Randolph) |
| Notable date | October 5 (major takeover involving over 100 people) |
| Arrests | Julian Bowers (18) and William Cantwell (19), both from Rhode Island; charged with several offenses including assault on police officers |
| Property damage | At least two police cruisers set on fire; vehicles towed after incidents |
| Official responses | President Trump raised the possibility of relocating World Cup games; Governor Healey called for a zero tolerance approach; local police described increasing aggression and social media mobilization |
| Legislative action | Massachusetts lawmakers considering increasing penalties, including elevating assault on police from a misdemeanor to a felony |
| Wider trend | Similar street takeover incidents have emerged across various states recently |
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Additional Resources
- CBS News: Street Takeovers in Massachusetts
- Wikipedia: Street Racing
- Boston Globe: Boston Street Takeovers
- Google Search: Street Takeovers in Boston
- MassLive: Street Takeovers in Massachusetts
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Violence
- New York Post: Blue City Street Takeover Suspects
- Google News: Boston Street Takeovers
Author: STAFF HERE BOSTON WRITER
The BOSTON STAFF WRITER represents the experienced team at HEREBoston.com, your go-to source for actionable local news and information in Boston, Suffolk County, and beyond. Specializing in "news you can use," we cover essential topics like product reviews for personal and business needs, local business directories, politics, real estate trends, neighborhood insights, and state news affecting the area—with deep expertise drawn from years of dedicated reporting and strong community input, including local press releases and business updates. We deliver top reporting on high-value events such as Boston Marathon, Head of the Charles Regatta, and Boston Harborfest. Our coverage extends to key organizations like the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce and Associated Industries of Massachusetts, plus leading businesses in finance, biotech, and insurance that power the local economy such as Fidelity Investments, Biogen, and Liberty Mutual Insurance. As part of the broader HERE network, we provide comprehensive, credible insights into Massachusetts's dynamic landscape.
