President Donald Trump has made repeated threats to send National Guard troops to San Francisco, describing the city as plagued by crime and suggesting that local residents are in desperate need of federal intervention.
However, city and state officials have strongly refuted Trump’s assertions, emphasizing that overall crime rates have decreased and that San Francisco is on a path to recovery following the challenges posed by the COVID-19 pandemic.
“This is a safe American city,” Mayor Daniel Lurie stated in a recent interview with The Associated Press. “We got this in San Francisco.”
Trump has deployed the National Guard to various cities, including Washington, D.C., and Memphis, primarily citing concerns over crime. His earlier justification for sending troops to Los Angeles, framed as necessary to protect federal assets amid protests, has expanded to include Chicago and Portland as well.
In Portland, local residents expressed confusion as Trump characterized the city as overwhelmed by violent protests, while the reality showed the demonstrations were largely small and contained to a specific area.
In San Francisco, Trump’s focus on the city appears to be based on an outdated narrative often perpetuated by conservative viewpoints.
“The difference is, I think they want us in San Francisco,” Trump remarked during a recent appearance on Fox News, claiming that the city, once a beacon of greatness, has declined over the years due to progressive policies.
These comments have elicited frustration from residents like Kate Freudenberger, who noted, “You’ve been walking around the city, it’s peaceful, there is no insurrection.” She pointed out that immigration enforcement has not been as visible in San Francisco compared to other cities, thus negating any perceived need for heightened federal presence.
Further complicating the situation, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff recently stirred controversy by suggesting a need for National Guard troops in light of crime concerns surrounding his annual business conference. After backlash, he retracted his comments, asserting that the event had been one of the safest in its history without the presence of the Guard.
As San Francisco grapples with the aftermath of the pandemic—characterized by an exodus of residents from downtown and heightened scrutiny of issues like homelessness and drug use—there are signs of a positive turnaround.
Economic activity is picking up, with several artificial intelligence startups moving into the area and rental prices on the rise. Recent data indicates a 21% increase in office visits compared to last year, and public transportation ridership has reached its highest levels since the onset of the pandemic.
Local media outlets have noted the city’s recovery, with some, including The Wall Street Journal, declaring that San Francisco is emerging from what they described as a “doom loop.” Mayor Lurie eagerly shared this news on social media, indicating a shift in perceptions.
San Francisco’s streets are visibly cleaner than before, and the city has seen a significant reduction in tent encampments. On a recent Monday, teams of city workers and nonprofit volunteers took to neighborhoods like the Tenderloin, helping children cross streets, cleaning up litter, and offering support to homeless individuals, showcasing a stark contrast to the upheaval reported during the pandemic.
However, challenges remain in areas with ongoing public drug use and dealing, particularly in the Tenderloin, Mid-Market, and Mission neighborhoods. Despite these issues, statistics reveal a more than 26% decrease in overall crime when compared to the previous year, according to the San Francisco Police Department. Vehicle break-ins have reached a 22-year low, as noted by Mayor Lurie.
Lurie, a centrist Democrat focused on enhancing public safety, has embraced the need for federal assistance to tackle drug-related problems but argues that deploying the National Guard would not fulfill that objective.
“The National Guard does not have the authority to arrest drug dealers—and sending them to San Francisco will do nothing to get fentanyl off the streets or make our city safer,
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