Trump Cancels Planned Federal Surge in San Francisco After CEO Talks

President Donald Trump has called off a planned federal law enforcement surge in San Francisco, which was intended to target undocumented immigrants. The decision follows discussions with prominent technology leaders, including Jensen Huang, President and CEO of Nvidia, and Marc Benioff, CEO of Salesforce. In a post on Truth Social, Trump stated that he was persuaded by “friends” in the area to abandon the operation originally scheduled for Saturday.

In his post, Trump indicated that local leaders, including San Francisco’s Mayor Daniel Lurie, had informed him of their efforts to improve the city. He wrote, “The Federal Government was preparing to ‘surge’ San Francisco, California, on Saturday, but friends of mine who live in the area called last night to ask me not to go forward with the surge in that the Mayor was making substantial progress.” Mayor Lurie later confirmed that he had communicated with Trump about the situation.

Local Leaders Prefer Collaboration Over Militarization

Mayor Lurie expressed the need for collaboration with federal agencies such as the FBI, DEA, and ATF to address drug-related issues in the city. He emphasized that having a military presence and militarized immigration enforcement would disrupt ongoing recovery efforts. Lurie stated, “We have work to do, and we would welcome continued partnerships… but having the military and militarized immigration enforcement in our city will hinder our recovery.”

Trump’s announcement to cancel the surge follows his previous remarks, in which he criticized San Francisco’s political landscape, calling it “woke” during an interview with Fox News. The shift in strategy highlights the influence of tech industry leaders on political decisions, particularly in an area struggling with issues such as homelessness and drug use.

The Influence of Tech Executives

Huang and Benioff have been vocal supporters of Trump’s policies in the past. Huang praised the Trump administration’s tariff policies, arguing they would benefit the U.S. AI sector. Benioff had previously advocated for the National Guard to be deployed to San Francisco but later retracted his position and apologized. Trump’s change of heart indicates a willingness to listen to influential voices in the business community, especially as he navigates complex urban challenges.

While the planned surge was initially framed as a necessary step to combat immigration issues, local residents were actively resisting any federal intervention. On March 15, 2024, hundreds gathered to protest in an area used for federal immigration raids, leading to confrontations that resulted in injuries when federal authorities deployed flash-bang grenades to disperse the crowd.

The cancellation of the surge reflects a broader dialogue about how best to address urban issues, balancing law enforcement with community-driven solutions. As tensions surrounding immigration policy continue to evolve, the response from both local leaders and federal officials will play a crucial role in shaping the future of cities like San Francisco.