Key Takeaways
- President Trump has cancelled plans to deploy the National Guard in San Francisco.
- The decision followed phone calls from tech leaders Jensen Huang and Marc Benioff.
- Mayor Daniel Lurie confirmed the federal withdrawal, calling it a positive outcome.
US President Donald Trump has shelved plans to deploy federal forces, including the National Guard, in San Francisco. The reversal came after direct appeals from prominent tech leaders, marking a significant political development for the city.
Tech Leaders Persuade President
In a Truth Social post, Trump confirmed the federal government was preparing to “surge” the city but decided to hold off after discussions with business leaders. “Great people like Jensen Huang, Marc Benioff, and others have called saying that the future of San Francisco is great,” Trump wrote. He noted his conversation with newly-elected Democratic Mayor Daniel Lurie, acknowledging the mayor’s “substantial progress” on crime.
Shifting Positions on Federal Deployment
The potential deployment had become controversial, particularly after Benioff initially told the New York Times he supported sending federal troops to the city. Other tech figures including Elon Musk and David Sacks had also backed the idea.
However, Benioff publicly reversed his position last week following criticism. “Having listened closely to my fellow San Franciscans and our local officials, and after the largest and safest Dreamforce in our history, I do not believe the National Guard is needed to address safety in San Francisco,” he posted on X.
Mayor Confirms Federal Withdrawal
Mayor Lurie confirmed the negotiation outcome to CNBC. “The president told me clearly that he was calling off any plans for a federal deployment in San Francisco,” Lurie stated.
He emphasized ongoing challenges while rejecting military solutions: “We have work to do, and we would welcome continued partnerships with the FBI, DEA, ATF, and U.S. Attorney to get drugs and drug dealers off our streets, but having the military and militarized immigration enforcement in our city will hinder our recovery.”
