AFTER PRESIDENT DONALD TRUMP doubled down on his threat to send the National Guard to San Francisco, Mayor Daniel Lurie says the city is getting ready to respond to a potential deployment of federal troops.
“We’ve been constantly monitoring the possibility of federal intervention, really, since the day I took office so that we can be prepared to respond and keep San Francisco safe under any scenario,” Lurie said at Tuesday’s Board of Supervisors meeting.
Trump told Fox News over the weekend that he intends to send federal troops to the City by the Bay after first mentioning the plan in a press conference last Wednesday.
Since taking office, Trump has ordered National Guard troops from various states to Portland, Oregon, Chicago, Memphis, Washington, D.C., and Los Angeles. He has said the soldiers are needed to stop rampant crime and civil unrest.
Trump’s most recent musings on National Guard forces in San Francisco have felt closer to becoming a reality for some.
During Tuesday’s board meeting, Supervisor Jackie Fielder asked Lurie how ready the city is to handle a possible National Guard deployment.
Lurie responded by saying that sending the National Guard won’t make San Francisco safer, and that law enforcement and other relevant departments have been collaborating to develop a plan.
“We’ve been convening a cross-departmental policy group of public safety leaders, representatives from the city attorney’s office, and other affected department heads to continue coordinating our local response to potential federal actions,” Lurie said. “This policy group is meeting regularly to ensure our operational strategic plans remain current and effective.”
He also referred to San Francisco’s sanctuary city policy, which limits local law enforcement from aiding federal immigration enforcement.
“It is not the role of local law enforcement to assist with military operations on our streets,” Lurie said. “San Francisco has had policies like this in place for decades. They help foster trust between law enforcement and communities, and that helps keep our community safe.”
Chiu: ‘Our city is prepared’
Lurie pointed out that City Attorney David Chiu filed an amicus brief Monday urging the U.S. Supreme Court to block the Trump administration from using the military for domestic law enforcement in cities across the country and deploying National Guard troops to Chicago.
“San Francisco has seen historic drops in crime, and our local law enforcement are more than capable of keeping our city safe,” Chiu said in a statement.
“Should President Trump make good on his ridiculous threats to send the military to San Francisco, our city is prepared, and my office is prepared to take the necessary legal action to defend San Francisco.”
Gov. Gavin Newsom and Attorney General Rob Bonta have also weighed in.
“Sending troops to San Francisco? Do it and we’ll sue,” Newsom said in a social media post.
“We’re ready to go to court immediately if the President follows through on this latest illegal plan,” Bonta said in a statement.