Trump Considers National Guard Deployment in San Francisco Amid Crime Concerns

Wed Oct 22 2025 06:13:34 GMT+0300 (Eastern European Summer Time)

President Trump threatens to send National Guard troops to San Francisco to address crime, but local officials argue crime is decreasing and the city is on the rise.

As President Trump threatens to deploy National Guard troops to San Francisco, local leaders insist that crime is down and the city is recovering from the pandemic. Mayor Daniel Lurie emphasized community safety and noted that residents are concerned about the narrative crafted by Trump. Despite some high-profile comments calling for Guard support, most locals believe their city does not require federal intervention and continues to improve.

SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — President Donald Trump continues to threaten the possibility of sending National Guard troops to San Francisco, citing crime concerns and claiming that residents are asking for federal help.

Contrary to Trump’s assertion, local and state leaders argue that crime has been decreasing, and the city is working to overcome its pandemic reputation. This sentiment was echoed by residents and workers in the city who expressed bewilderment and concern over Trump's comments.

“This is a safe American city,” declared Mayor Daniel Lurie. “We got this in San Francisco.”

Trump has linked crime to his reasons for deploying the National Guard to various cities, including Washington, D.C. and Memphis, where he has had support from local authorities. In contrast, city leaders in San Francisco assert that they are making progress in addressing crime without federal resources.

Local residents, such as retail worker Kate Freudenberger, noted that the city feels peaceful, saying, “You’ve been walking around the city, it’s peaceful, there is no insurrection.”

While there are areas, particularly the Tenderloin, facing issues related to public drug use, overall crime has significantly dropped. Reports indicate that vehicle break-ins are at a 22-year low, and the city recorded a 26% decline in overall crime compared to last year.

Even Marc Benioff, CEO of Salesforce, faced backlash after suggesting that the National Guard could help curb crime. He later retracted his statement, declaring the conference was the safest in its history.

San Francisco is gradually recovering from pandemic devastations, with evidence of revitalization seen in office space rentals and rising transit ridership. The Wall Street Journal recently highlighted the city's recovery, noting improvements in cleanliness and a decrease in homelessness.

Mayor Lurie, although open to federal assistance for specific issues like drug trafficking, emphasized that the National Guard is not the solution, as they lack the authority to combat drug-related crimes effectively.

California’s Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration also plans to oppose any federal deployment, with Attorney General Rob Bonta prepared to take legal action against such measures.

Residents like Libby Baxter worry that sending troops may lead to chaos in a community known for its tolerance. She expressed fears about the potential impact of federal intervention in local governance, stating that San Francisco would not respond well to an overt federal presence.