San Francisco officials are responding to President Donald Trump’s repeated threats to send National Guard troops to the city, citing crime concerns. Trump has described San Francisco as plagued by crime and claimed residents are seeking federal intervention.
Local leaders dispute these claims, pointing out that overall crime rates have fallen and the city’s reputation is improving after challenges during the pandemic. Mayor Daniel Lurie told The Associated Press, “This is a safe American city. We got this in San Francisco.”
Trump has previously deployed the National Guard to cities such as Washington, D.C., Memphis, and Los Angeles, often justifying the move with references to protecting federal buildings or addressing public safety. He has also mentioned Chicago and Portland as cities needing a similar response.
Some residents expressed confusion about Trump’s comments. Kate Freudenberger, who works in retail, said, “You’ve been walking around the city, it’s peaceful, there is no insurrection,” adding that immigration authorities have not been notably active in San Francisco.
Marc Benioff, CEO of Salesforce based in San Francisco, initially suggested support for Guard deployment ahead of a major business conference but later apologized. He clarified that the event was both “largest and safest” in its history and stated that additional security was unnecessary.
San Francisco continues its recovery from pandemic-related setbacks. Office visits have increased by 21% over last year according to Placer.ai data, public transit use is at post-pandemic highs, and rental prices are rising. Improvements include cleaner sidewalks and fewer visible tent encampments downtown.
Despite ongoing issues with drug use in neighborhoods like the Tenderloin and Mid-Market areas, police data shows overall crime is down more than 26% compared to last year. Vehicle break-ins are at their lowest level in 22 years.
Mayor Lurie emphasized that while he supports federal efforts targeting drug dealers, deploying National Guard troops would not address these problems directly: “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,” he said.
The city has taken other steps to address public safety concerns. In 2024 voters approved expanded use of technology by police forces; entry-level police applications are up 40% from last year; and Brooke Jenkins replaced Chesa Boudin as District Attorney following a recall election focused on crime policy differences.
At the state level, Governor Gavin Newsom’s administration opposes any deployment of National Guard troops without state approval. California Attorney General Rob Bonta pledged legal action if federal troops are sent: he vowed to “be in court within hours, if not minutes” should this occur.
Legal challenges from Democratic officials have so far prevented similar deployments in other cities such as Chicago and Portland.
Some community members worry about potential unrest if troops arrive. Libby Baxter, a retired nurse, commented that previous deployments have created “chaos and unrest” in Democratic-led cities.
