On Thursday, President Donald Trump announced that he has officially called off a controversial plan to deploy federal agents to San Francisco. This decision came after a constructive conversation with Mayor Daniel Lurie. In a statement shared on Truth Social, Trump revealed that several prominent tech leaders had reached out to him the previous day, urging him to reconsider the planned operation, which was set to take place on Saturday.
During his statement, Trump highlighted that influential figures from the tech industry, such as Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, and Marc Benioff, co-founder of Salesforce, contacted him to express their optimism for the future of San Francisco. "Great people like Jensen Huang and Marc Benioff have called, saying that the future of San Francisco is great. They want to give it a 'shot,'" Trump stated. Consequently, he confirmed that the surge operation would not proceed as planned, encouraging residents to "stay tuned" for further developments.
Two officials from the Department of Homeland Security also confirmed to CBS News that the anticipated Border Patrol operation in San Francisco had been canceled. Mayor Lurie, in a separate statement, shared that during his late-night conversation with the president, he reiterated the message he has been conveying to residents: "San Francisco is on the rise." He emphasized that visitors are returning, buildings are being leased and purchased, and employees are coming back to their offices.
At a news conference on Thursday afternoon, Lurie pointed out recently released crime statistics that indicate significant drops in crime rates across the city. "Today, in San Francisco, crime is down nearly 30% citywide," he announced. He further noted that violent crime is at its lowest levels since the 1950s, with car break-ins at a 22-year low and homicides on track to reach 70-year lows. "Our new approach is delivering results," he concluded.
In addition to his discussions with Trump, Mayor Lurie revealed that he had also spoken with Attorney General Pam Bondi and Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem regarding strategies to tackle the ongoing fentanyl crisis in the city. Lurie expressed appreciation for Bondi's commitment to working with local law enforcement to combat drug trafficking and hold offenders accountable.
Benioff, who previously sparked controversy by suggesting the deployment of the National Guard to the city, later apologized for his comments following backlash from city officials. This incident occurred just before the annual Dreamforce convention in San Francisco. Governor Gavin Newsom expressed support for Trump's decision to cancel the federal deployment, stating, "Trump has finally, for once, listened to reason." Newsom, a former mayor of San Francisco, emphasized the importance of preserving the Bay Area as a symbol of California's unique identity.
Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi also commended Mayor Lurie for his leadership and dedication to the safety and well-being of San Franciscans. In her statement, Pelosi underscored the necessity of aligning public safety efforts with local priorities and values. "Mayor Daniel Lurie has demonstrated exceptional leadership in his steadfast commitment to the safety and well-being of San Franciscans," she stated.
As San Francisco continues to make strides in improving public safety and revitalizing its economy, the recent developments highlight the importance of collaboration among local leaders, state officials, and the community.
