San Francisco, Oct 24 (AP) President Donald Trump reconsidered plans to deploy federal forces in San Francisco after discussions with prominent tech leaders and the city’s mayor. Initially critical of the city, Trump stated that conversations with figures like Jensen Huang, CEO of Nvidia, and Marc Benioff, CEO of Salesforce, influenced his decision.

During a press briefing at the White House, Trump acknowledged the efforts of San Francisco to combat crime, saying, “So we are holding off that surge, everybody. And we’re going to let them see if they can do it.” He indicated that he could reassess the situation if crime rates did not improve. The federal force was initially scheduled to arrive on Saturday, but Trump did not clarify whether this included National Guard troops or immigration enforcement.

Mayor Daniel Lurie, who has maintained a non-confrontational stance towards Trump, has focused on local issues such as public safety and economic recovery. He highlighted a 26% decrease in overall crime and a 22-year low in car break-ins, emphasizing the city’s progress. Lurie expressed his commitment to working with federal authorities, particularly the Drug Enforcement Agency, to address illegal drug issues, while cautioning that military presence could hinder recovery efforts.

The response from city officials was mixed. Former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi praised Lurie’s leadership, while California Governor Gavin Newsom noted that Trump had “finally, for once, listened to reason.” However, skepticism remained regarding Trump’s commitment to his promise. San Francisco Supervisor Connie Chan voiced concerns about trusting Trump, while Supervisor Jackie Fielder criticized Lurie’s inclination to collaborate with federal law enforcement.

Trump mentioned receiving multiple calls from business leaders urging him to allow local officials to manage crime reduction without federal intervention. Benioff had previously suggested the need for National Guard assistance but later retracted his statement, indicating that troops were unnecessary.

In his announcement, Trump did not address other Bay Area cities, such as Oakland, where he had also threatened federal intervention. Some Democrats have adopted a less confrontational approach to Trump, focusing on local governance rather than national disputes.