In a dramatic political U-turn, Donald Trump has scrapped his highly controversial proposal to deploy federal military forces to San Francisco. The former president faced mounting opposition from California's political leadership and constitutional experts who questioned the legality of such a move.
Constitutional Concerns Force Retreat
The proposed deployment, which Trump had been aggressively promoting, encountered immediate resistance from Governor Gavin Newsom and San Francisco Mayor London Breed. Both Democrats vehemently opposed what they characterised as an unprecedented federal overreach into local affairs.
Legal scholars had raised serious questions about whether the president possesses the authority to send troops into an American city against the wishes of state and local officials, except in extreme circumstances where local authorities have lost control.
Immigration Debate Intensifies
The retreat comes amid ongoing tensions between Trump and California over immigration policies. San Francisco has found itself at the centre of this political storm, with Trump repeatedly criticising the city's approach to managing migrant arrivals.
While abandoning the troop deployment, Trump continues to maintain pressure on what he describes as "sanctuary cities," promising alternative measures to address his concerns about immigration enforcement.
Political Fallout and Reactions
The decision represents a significant climbdown for the former president, who had made the proposed deployment a central talking point in recent campaign appearances. The reversal suggests practical and legal realities may have outweighed political rhetoric.
California officials have welcomed the decision while remaining vigilant about potential future confrontations over state versus federal authority in law enforcement matters.
