Photo: JIM WATSON / AFP / Getty Images
President Donald Trump announced Thursday (October 23) that he is withdrawing plans to deploy federal troops to San Francisco after a discussion with the city's mayor, Daniel Lurie. Trump had initially planned a federal "surge" in the city to address crime but reconsidered after speaking with Lurie, who assured him of the city's progress.
Mayor Lurie received a call from Trump on Wednesday night, during which the president agreed to hold off on the deployment. Lurie emphasized that military presence could hinder the city's recovery efforts. He welcomed partnerships with federal agencies like the FBI and DEA but opposed militarized enforcement.
Trump's decision came after conversations with Bay Area tech leaders, including Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff, who urged him to reconsider. Trump mentioned these discussions in a social media post, stating that Lurie was making "substantial progress."
The reversal averts a potential standoff in San Francisco, a city known for its liberal stance.
However, Trump left open the possibility of future federal action, suggesting that federal forces could act "faster, stronger, and safer" if needed.