President Donald Trump called off a planned “surge” of federal forces into San Francisco after a late-night call with the city’s mayor while Congress continued its partisan gridlock over military pay during the ongoing government shutdown. Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker found himself defending Illinois’ sanctuary policies amid public outrage over violent crimes involving illegal immigrants.
Trump hits pause on San Francisco ‘surge’ after mayor’s appeal
After days of signaling that federal forces could move into San Francisco to tackle rampant crime and public disorder, President Trump announced Thursday morning that he is postponing the plan — for now.
“The Federal Government was preparing to ‘surge’ San Francisco on Saturday,” Trump posted on Truth Social, “but friends of mine who live in the area called last night to ask me not to go forward…in that the Mayor, Daniel Lurie, was making substantial progress.”
Trump said he spoke directly with Lurie, who “very nicely” asked for more time to turn the city around. “I told him I think he’s making a mistake,” Trump wrote, “because we can do it much faster.”
The president had floated the idea of deploying the National Guard during a recent Oval Office press conference, arguing that the federal government could “clean up” crime-ridden cities more effectively than local authorities. But for now, Trump says he’s giving San Francisco “a shot.”
At the White House, Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt said the decision reflects Trump’s willingness to “work with anyone across the aisle” to make cities safer. She added that Trump had said, “[I]f I feel as though you continue to fail your citizens, the federal government may have to step in.”
Trump has already deployed National Guard units this year to Washington, D.C., Los Angeles, and Memphis — all cities that have struggled with violent crime and drug trafficking.
Shutdown standoff: Democrats block GOP bill to pay troops
On Capitol Hill, tensions over the 23-day government shutdown deepened Thursday after Senate Democrats blocked a Republican bill that would have guaranteed paychecks for U.S. service members and essential federal workers.
The legislation, sponsored by Sen. Ron Johnson (R-WI), fell short of the 60 votes needed to advance, failing 54–45. Only three Democrats — John Fetterman (PA), Raphael Warnock (GA), and Jon Ossoff (GA) — broke ranks to support it.
Johnson’s Shutdown Fairness Act would have ensured that military personnel, TSA agents, air traffic controllers, and ICE officers continued to receive pay during the funding lapse. But Democrats argued the bill would allow Trump to decide who gets paid during the shutdown.
“This is a bill to let Donald Trump decide who gets paid and who doesn’t,” Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA) told reporters. “Donald Trump thinks he is king.”
Republicans blasted Democrats — noting that while lawmakers continue receiving pay, federal employees and troops will miss paychecks on Friday.
“Senate Democrats have a choice. Pay essential workers who are working right now without a paycheck. Or send them into the weekend with empty bank accounts and bills they cannot pay,” said Senate Majority Whip John Barrasso (R-WY) before the vote. “If Democrats vote no, it won’t be about fairness. It will be about politics.”
The Senate is expected to reconvene Monday for a thirteenth attempt to reopen the government — though few expect progress without a shift from Democratic leadership.
Pritzker defends sanctuary policies after murder by illegal immigrants
In a heated interview on Fox News, Illinois Gov. J.B. Pritzker (D) defended his state’s sanctuary policies after two illegal immigrants were charged with murder — one of whom had been released from local custody despite an ICE detainer.
Pritzker acknowledged that “maybe” a judge made the wrong call but deflected that focusing on one case distorts the broader picture. “You could find U.S. citizens all across the country who committed a crime, got out, and then did something bad,” he told host Bret Baier.
Pressed on whether violent illegal immigrants should be deported, Pritzker said, “I absolutely believe that. Get the violent criminals out of my state and out of the country.”
Baier then challenged Pritzker on the claim, as his policies often impede immigration enforcement from reprimanding the very criminals he says he wants removed, and Pritzker denied it.
The comments came as public frustration mounts over immigration enforcement and sanctuary laws, particularly in major cities like Chicago, New York, and Los Angeles.
Pritzker said he supports ICE efforts to go after “the worst of the worst” — including gang members and drug traffickers — but accused the federal government of racial profiling in immigration raids.
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