San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie has publicly rejected President Donald Trump’s proposal to deploy the National Guard to the city, following Trump’s recent announcements aimed at addressing public safety concerns across the nation.
During an interview with Fox News’ Maria Bartiromo, Trump mentioned that the National Guard would head to San Francisco as part of an initiative to combat crime in several cities including Chicago, Memphis, and Portland.
In a statement shared via an Instagram Reel on Monday, Lurie expressed his gratitude for the military’s service but emphasized that the National Guard does not have the authority to arrest drug dealers, arguing that their deployment would not effectively combat the fentanyl crisis or improve safety in San Francisco.
Lurie highlighted that crime has become a focal point of his administration since he ousted a six-year incumbent to become mayor in 2024. In his push for public safety, Lurie has utilized social media to outline his agenda and present the progress made in reducing violent crime in the city.
“As your mayor, my top priority every single day is keeping San Francisco safe,” Lurie said.
He further noted the concerted efforts by local law enforcement, community leaders, and federal agencies to arrest drug dealers and disrupt drug markets, stating that the National Guard’s involvement would be ineffective in achieving these goals.
In response to the National Guard proposal, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson criticized San Francisco Democrats, suggesting they should embrace Trump’s intervention to restore order in the city. Jackson attributed the rise in crime to what she described as Democratic policies favoring criminals over law-abiding citizens.
Highlighting Trump’s campaign message, she reiterated that making American cities safe again was a key promise from the President.
Despite the National Guard’s impending presence in various cities, Lurie has consistently pointed to the proactive measures taken under his leadership to enhance public safety, including rebuilding public safety agencies and employing advanced technological solutions.
“Over the last nine months, we have backed that up, rebuilding the ranks of our public safety agencies, strengthening coordination across departments, and strategically deploying technology. It’s working,” Lurie added during a recent public safety briefing.
The White House has countered the narrative from California Democrats, urging them to acknowledge the successes seen in cities like Memphis and Washington, D.C. Mayor Muriel Bowser has even recognized the Trump administration’s efforts to address crime in her own city.
Trump remarked during his Fox News interview, “We’re going to go to San Francisco. The difference is, I think they want us in San Francisco. San Francisco was truly one of the great cities of the world, and then 15 years ago, it went wrong. It went woke.”
California Governor Gavin Newsom swiftly responded via social media, declaring, “Fact check: Nobody wants you here. You will ruin one of America’s greatest cities.”
Newsom has frequently criticized Trump for his approach to policing in urban areas and has previously deployed California Highway Patrol units to address crime across the state.
In August, he emphasized California’s commitment to public safety while denouncing Trump’s deployment of National Guard units across American cities.
“While the Trump administration undermines cities, California is partnering with them and delivering real results,” Newsom stated, underscoring his intent to continue collaboration with law enforcement to maintain declining crime rates.
Earlier in the spring, the National Guard was deployed to Los Angeles in response to protests against deportations, another action aligned with Trump’s broader law enforcement strategies.
President Trump’s controversial initiatives and the local government’s pushback reflect the ongoing struggle between various governance approaches to solving complex urban crime issues as San Francisco navigates its safety challenges.
image source from：foxnews
