SAN FRANCISCO (KGO) — San Francisco Mayor Daniel Lurie says that President Donald Trump called him and told him he was “calling off any plans for a federal deployment” in the city.
LIVE UPDATES: Federal agents arrive in Bay Area; SF mayor says federal deployment called off
Lurie posted on social media Thursday morning, despite federal agents having already arrived in the Bay Area. Lurie says he also spoke with Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem Thursday morning and she reaffirmed what President Trump said.
Trump also posted on Truth Social that the federal agents were preparing to “surge” the city on Saturday, but are now backing off.
He said he is respecting Lurie’s request to call off the deployment but said, “I told him I think he is making a mistake, because we can do it much faster, and remove the criminals that the Law does not permit him to remove.”
Trump also referenced Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang and Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff and how they’ve “called saying that the future of San Francisco is great.”
During a press conference Thursday, Mayor Lurie laid out the conversation he had with President Trump about the surge of federal agents into the Bay Area. “I was told that this surge was being called off. He only spoke about San Francisco prior so all I can say is what he told me,” Lurie said.
The mayor says he told the president San Francisco is making progress on everything from homelessness to crime and that the city doesn’t need federal help. He did say, however, that his office remains open to cooperation in combating the city’s drug crisis.
“We would welcome the continued partnership with FBI, DEA and U.S. Attorneys to get drugs and drug dealers off of our streets,” Lurie said.
The operation being called off is being hailed as a victory by some, while others say they still have fears over the federal government’s immigration enforcement.
“Immigration enforcement is going to continue, despite what has happened today. But as folks know, in our city we value our immigrant community. We have policies in place to ensure that our local law enforcement is focused on what it means to make our community safe,” said San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu.
Federal agents did arrive at Coast Guard Island in Alameda Thursday morning and were met by protesters.
This comes one week after President Trump first threatened to send the National Guard to the city, and a few days after U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem discussed plans to deploy federal troops to the city.
It is unclear what the federal agents will be doing in the Bay Area. Several rallies and protests had been planned around the Bay Area Thursday. Organizers tell ABC7 News despite the pause in the operation, they’re still encouraging everyone to come out and make their voices heard.
“You should not sit on your laurels because like any victory, we can’t sit on it for very long…no one should feel comfortable. No one should feel safe. If this is the attack right now, we don’t know what tomorrow’s attack will bring,” said SEIU Local 87 President Olga Miranda.
The mayor says he will continue working to make San Francisco a better place for everyone.
He reassured those concerned the city has plans in place in case President Trump decides to change his mind.
“It is my sincere hope that we never have to put that plan into action.”
Here is Lurie’s full statement:
“Yesterday, I spoke to San Franciscans about a potential federal deployment in our city. I said then what I have said since taking office, that keeping San Franciscans safe is my top priority.
“Late last night, I received a phone call from the President of the United States. I told him the same thing I told our residents: San Francisco is on the rise. Visitors are coming back, buildings are getting leased and purchased, and workers are coming back to the office. We have work to do, and we would welcome continued partnerships with the FBI, DEA, ATF, and U.S. Attorney to get drugs and drug dealers off our streets, but having the military and militarized immigration enforcement in our city will hinder our recovery. We appreciate that the president understands that we are the global hub for technology, and when San Francisco is strong, our country is strong.
“In that conversation, the president told me clearly that he was calling off any plans for a federal deployment in San Francisco. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem reaffirmed that direction in our conversation this morning.
“My team will continue to monitor the situation closely, and our city remains prepared for any scenario.
“I am profoundly grateful to all the San Franciscans who came together over the last several days. Our city leaders have been united behind the goal of public safety. And our values have been on full display-this is the best of our city.”
Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi issued a statement on Mayor Lurie’s announcement:
“Mayor Daniel Lurie has demonstrated exceptional leadership in his steadfast commitment to the safety and well-being of San Franciscans.
“In his handling of a potential federal deployment in our City that resulted in the President calling off the operation, Mayor Lurie has underscored that public safety must be driven by local priorities, respectful of our values and communities.
“I salute Mayor Lurie for standing up for our City and reinforcing San Francisco’s strength, optimism and recovery.”
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