On Newsmax Monday, former U.S. Ambassador to Germany Ric Grenell called for strict oversight of federal spending on California's 2026 Summer Olympics preparation, insisting no funds be allocated without detailed accountability of every dollar spent.
Grenell, President-elect Donald Trump's incoming envoy for special missions, expressed serious concerns about California's leadership and financial management during a Monday appearance on "Finnerty," arguing that Los Angeles and California should not receive federal funds for preparing to host the 2026 Summer Olympics unless they provide full accountability for how the money will be spent.
"Look, I think we're in a corner here because no one in Los Angeles wants to not have the Olympics. We're very excited. We're a world-class city with terrible leadership that has just been uncovered," Grenell said.
Democrat Gov. Gavin Newsom and Los Angeles officials are being criticized for their water management decisions. These decisions led to a water shortage that may have hindered firefighters during one of L.A.'s most destructive fires in decades.
"The Trump administration is going to have to look very closely at how does [his] administration make sure that the federal dollars are spent well," he added.
Grenell criticized California's spending priorities, particularly what he described as wasteful or ineffective programs.
"You're going to have to not spend on these woke, crazy ideas that you have. Otherwise, you're not going to get federal money. I don't believe that we should continue having federal dollars fund these fake, phony programs throughout California and in Los Angeles," he said, advocating for federal leverage to demand transparency and accountability.
Regarding California's broader governance, Grenell described systemic issues stemming from its one-party dominance.
"We are an amazing city, and we have literally been disappointed for decades with the political leadership," he said, pointing to Newsom's leadership as emblematic of the problem.
"While we are very excited to host the [2026 Summer] Olympics, many people here in Los Angeles feel like we've just had the Wizard of Oz moment where the curtain has been pulled back," he said, adding that a lack of diverse viewpoints within California's political leadership creates blind spots. "You go into a room, and everyone agrees on the way forward. That's why we see problems when it comes to homelessness and water and forestry because there's no dissenting view in the room."
Grenell reemphasized the urgency of federal oversight as Los Angeles moved closer to hosting the global event.
"When you just hand the money over to these local politicians, we locally don't have faith in our local politicians. And so, something needs to be done by leveraging those federal dollars to demand an accounting of how those are spent, so, it's spent on the right and right programs," he said.
"While many of us have seen it coming for a long time, there are a lot of new people having their eyes opened, and they are very concerned that we are not ready to host the Olympics with this current crop of local organizers and state organizers," he added.
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Jim Thomas ✉
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.
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