Introduction to the Trump Administration’s Decision
The Trump administration is sending federal agents to San Francisco following weeks of threats from the president to deploy the National Guard to the Bay Area.
California Governor’s Response
California Gov. Gavin Newsom released a statement on X confirming and criticizing the agents’ upcoming arrival. He called deployment a “page right out of the dictator’s handbook” intended to create the conditions of unrest necessary to then send in the National Guard.
Newsom’s Statement
“He sends out masked men, he sends out Border Patrol, he sends out ICE, he creates anxiety and fear in the community so that he can lay claim to solving that by sending in the [National] Guard,” said Newsom. “This is no different than the arsonist putting out the fire.”
Deployment Details
Around 100 federal agents, including members of U.S. Customs and Border Protection, are en route to the U.S. Coast Guard’s Alameda base, according to reporting from the San Francisco Chronicle. The Coast Guard and DHS did not immediately respond to The Times’ request for comment.
Trump’s Previous Statements
Trump has suggested for weeks that San Francisco is next on his list for National Guard deployment, after the administration sent troops to Los Angeles and Chicago and is battling in court to send them to Portland, Ore.
Trump’s Plans for San Francisco
On Sunday, Trump told Fox News, “We’re going to San Francisco and we’ll make it great. It’ll be great again.” Trump has suggested that the role of the National Guard in San Francisco would be to address crime rates. However, the National Guard is generally not allowed to perform domestic law enforcement duties when federalized by the president.
Background on the National Guard Deployment
In September, he said that cities with Democratic political leadership such as San Francisco, Chicago and Los Angeles “are very unsafe places and we are going to straighten them out.” Trump said he told Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth that “we should use some of these dangerous cities as training for our military, our national guard.”
Newsom’s Urging for Peace
Newsom urged Californians to remain peaceful in the face of the arrival of federal agents. “President Trump and [White House Deputy Chief of Staff] Stephen Miller’s authoritarian playbook is coming for another of our cities, and violence and vandalism are exactly what they’re looking for to invoke chaos,” said Newsom on X.
Context of the Trump Administration’s Actions
The sending of federal agents to San Francisco comes as the Trump administration continues to crack down on immigration across the nation in an attempt to carry out what the president has proclaimed is the largest deportation effort in U.S. history.
Conclusion
The deployment of federal agents to San Francisco marks a significant escalation in the Trump administration’s efforts to exert control over cities with Democratic leadership. The move has been met with criticism from California Governor Gavin Newsom, who has urged Californians to remain peaceful in the face of the arrival of federal agents.
FAQs
Q: Why is the Trump administration sending federal agents to San Francisco?
A: The Trump administration is sending federal agents to San Francisco as part of its efforts to address crime rates and exert control over cities with Democratic leadership.
Q: What is the role of the National Guard in San Francisco?
A: The National Guard is generally not allowed to perform domestic law enforcement duties when federalized by the president, but Trump has suggested that their role in San Francisco would be to address crime rates.
Q: How has California Governor Gavin Newsom responded to the deployment of federal agents?
A: Newsom has criticized the deployment, calling it a “page right out of the dictator’s handbook” and urging Californians to remain peaceful in the face of the arrival of federal agents.
