California Governor’s Response to Federal Agents in San Francisco

On Wednesday night, California Governor Gavin Newsom (D) declared his intention to sue the Trump administration over the decision to deploy immigration officials to San Francisco.

Newsom challenged President Trump directly, tweeting, “Send troops to San Francisco and I will sue you.” He then reiterated his commitment during a press conference, emphasizing, “We’re going to fight hard. We’re going to be focused on the response,” while holding up relevant documents. He added, “Literal and swift action would occur if any troops were sent into San Francisco, one of America’s major cities.”

The governor pointed out the city’s notable reductions in homicides and economic improvements, stating, “Only Donald Trump can destroy this.”

“We will resist clearly and with conviction,” he insisted. “We will continue to win in court.”

The Trump administration is sending 100 personnel from U.S. Customs and Border Protection as well as Coast Guard Station Alameda, reportedly set to arrive on Thursday.

Over the weekend, Trump announced his plan to send federal agents to the city, mentioning on Fox News, “We’re going to make San Francisco great,” and added, “The difference is they want us in San Francisco.”

Both Newsom and San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie (D) have voiced their opposition to the federal agents’ presence in the city. Newsom stated, “California has had enough. President Trump and Stephen Miller’s authoritarian strategy is coming to our other cities. Violence and vandalism are exactly what they are aiming to cause chaos.”

Lurie remarked last week, “We were told the city was safe,” emphasizing the city’s capacity to handle its own issues. However, he made it clear that while more federal assistance in targeting drug traffickers could be welcomed, sending in the National Guard was not an option.

“The National Guard does not have the authority to arrest drug dealers. Sending them to San Francisco will not take fentanyl off our streets or make our streets safer,” Lurie explained to The Associated Press in a statement.

Previously, Trump deployed the National Guard to Los Angeles in June following local protests triggered by Immigration and Customs Enforcement activities. In his second term, he has also sent troops to Illinois, Portland, Oregon, Memphis, Tennessee, and Washington, D.C., within just the first nine months.