In a characteristically combative campaign speech, former President Donald Trump has threatened to deploy border patrol agents to San Francisco and other Democrat-led cities if he returns to the White House.
The Republican frontrunner made the declaration during a California fundraising event, directly targeting what he described as "sanctuary cities" run by "radical left" politicians.
Confrontation with Local Leadership
Trump specifically called out San Francisco Mayor London Breed, promising to override local authority and send federal border agents to conduct immigration enforcement in urban areas.
"We have to go to sanctuary city areas and we have to do what we have to do," Trump declared, framing the proposed deployment as necessary to combat what he characterised as an "invasion" at the southern border.
Escalating Immigration Rhetoric
The former president's comments represent a significant escalation in his immigration policy proposals, suggesting he would use federal power to bypass local law enforcement in Democratic strongholds.
San Francisco has long identified as a sanctuary city, limiting its cooperation with federal immigration enforcement agencies—a policy that has frequently drawn Trump's ire.
Political Context and Reaction
The announcement comes as Trump campaigns heavily in California, a traditionally Democratic state where he nevertheless maintains significant support in certain regions.
Immigration has emerged as a central theme of Trump's 2024 campaign, with the former president repeatedly criticising the Biden administration's handling of border security.
Local officials in San Francisco have yet to respond to Trump's latest comments, but previous similar proposals have sparked fierce opposition from city leadership and immigrant advocacy groups.
