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Newsom Rebuffs Trump’s Threats to Deploy National Guard in San Francisco
California Governor Gavin Newsom sharply rejected President Donald Trump’s renewed threats to send National Guard troops into San Francisco, setting off another round of tensions between the Democratic state leader and the Republican president.
“Fact check: Nobody wants you here,” Newsom wrote on social media platform X in response to Trump’s comments. “You will ruin one of America’s greatest cities.”
During a Fox News interview Sunday, Trump declared, “We’re gonna go to San Francisco,” suggesting the city’s reception would differ from Chicago’s, where he has already deployed National Guard troops. “The difference [from Chicago] is, I think they want us in San Francisco,” Trump claimed.
The exchange marks the latest chapter in ongoing federal-state friction over urban policy and crime management. Trump has positioned himself as a law-and-order president willing to intervene in what he characterizes as Democrat-mismanaged cities, while Newsom has consistently defended California’s governance and pushed back against federal overreach.
In an ironic twist during the same interview, Trump inadvertently complimented Newsom’s tenure as San Francisco’s mayor. Trump noted that San Francisco was “truly one of the great cities of the world” but claimed it “went wrong” 15 years ago – a timeline that coincides almost precisely with when Newsom concluded his mayoral service. Newsom led the city from 2004 until early 2011, approximately 15 years ago.
The president’s threats to deploy federal troops to San Francisco earlier this month briefly gained unexpected support from a prominent local business leader. Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff initially told The New York Times, “I fully support the president. I think he’s doing a great job,” citing concerns over police staffing levels.
Benioff’s remarks sparked immediate blowback, including the resignation of venture capitalist Ron Conway from the Salesforce Foundation board. Conway stated he “now barely recognize[d] the person I have so long admired.”
Following the criticism, Benioff walked back his comments, characterizing them as made “out of an abundance of caution.” He subsequently clarified on X: “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.” The tech executive also pledged $1 million from his company to help fund signing bonuses for new police officers in the city.
Critics argue Trump’s National Guard deployments follow a political pattern rather than crime data. The president has labeled Chicago a “hellhole of crime” and has threatened or deployed troops in multiple Democrat-led cities in blue states, while largely ignoring high-crime areas in Republican-governed regions.
Data contradicts Trump’s characterization of San Francisco as crime-ridden. Newsom shared reports indicating the city’s homicide rate is tracking toward its lowest level since the 1950s. Similarly, Washington, D.C., where Trump has sent troops claiming the situation was “totally out of control,” has actually experienced declining crime rates.
The dispute highlights fundamental tensions between federal and state authority in addressing urban challenges. While Trump frames his interventions as necessary security measures, opponents view them as politically motivated actions that undermine local governance and potentially violate principles of federalism.
As this confrontation unfolds, it also demonstrates the increasingly personal nature of political disputes between Trump and Democratic governors, with both sides using direct language and social media to advance their positions and rally supporters.
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18 Comments
This is a complex issue without easy answers. Both sides make valid points about urban crime and governance. Fact-based debate is important, but I hope they can find some common ground for the good of the city and its residents.
I agree, this is a challenging situation that requires nuance. I’m curious to see what specific solutions or compromises might emerge as this unfolds.
This clash between Newsom and Trump highlights the ongoing tensions between state and federal authority. While I understand both sides, I hope they can find a way to collaborate effectively rather than just trading political jabs. San Francisco’s residents deserve leaders who can put aside their differences for the greater good.
Well said. Constructive dialogue and a focus on solutions would be far more productive than partisan posturing. I’m hopeful they can find common ground and work together to address the complex issues facing San Francisco.
Interesting clash between Newsom and Trump over the role of federal forces in San Francisco. Curious to see how this plays out – it highlights the ongoing tensions between state and federal authority over urban policy.
While I understand Trump’s desire for law and order, Newsom seems right to push back against federal overreach into state matters. Local leaders often have a better grasp of their communities’ needs.
It’s good to see Newsom standing up to Trump’s threats, but I wonder if there’s room for some federal-state collaboration on tackling the root causes of urban crime and disorder. Both leaders have a responsibility to their constituents.
Absolutely, a balanced approach focused on practical solutions rather than political posturing would be ideal. I hope they can set aside their differences to find common ground.
Newsom seems to be taking a firm, fact-based stance against Trump’s claims. As a Californian, I appreciate him defending the state’s autonomy, but I’m also curious to hear Trump’s perspective on why he thinks federal intervention is warranted.
It’s a tricky balance between state and federal powers, especially when it comes to issues of public safety. I hope they can find a way to collaborate productively rather than just trading political jabs.
As a Californian, I trust Newsom’s judgment on the needs of our state over Trump’s. However, I’m curious to hear more of Trump’s reasoning for wanting to deploy federal forces in San Francisco. Fact-based debate is important, but I hope they can find common ground.
I agree, it’s crucial that they set aside partisan differences and focus on practical solutions. San Francisco deserves leaders who can work together to address the real challenges facing the city.
This is a complex issue without easy answers. I appreciate that both Newsom and Trump are trying to address real challenges, but I hope they can move beyond partisan rhetoric and work together to find practical solutions. San Francisco deserves leaders who can put politics aside.
Well said. Focusing on facts and solutions, rather than political point-scoring, would be the best path forward. I’m hopeful they can find a way to collaborate effectively on this issue.
While I understand Trump’s desire for law and order, Newsom’s response seems appropriate. As a Californian, I trust Newsom’s judgment on the needs of his state more than Trump’s. I hope they can find a collaborative way forward.
Absolutely, local leaders often have a better grasp of their communities’ unique circumstances. I’m glad to see Newsom standing up for California’s autonomy, but hope they can find common ground for the good of San Francisco.
This is a classic example of the ongoing tension between state and federal authority. Both Newsom and Trump seem to have valid concerns, but I hope they can set aside their differences and work together to address the real issues facing San Francisco.
Agreed, constructive dialogue and a focus on solutions would be far more productive than partisan posturing. As a citizen, I’m hopeful they can find a way to make progress on this complex challenge.