President Donald Trump said his administration would send federal immigration enforcement teams into U.S. cities only if local leaders request help, arguing that mayors or governors must “ask” and “say please” before federal authorities intervene.
Trump made the remarks in an interview with NBC News anchor Tom Llamas that aired as part of “NBC Nightly News.”
Pressed on whether recent operations signaled a change in strategy, Trump said he’s told his team they shouldn’t move into a city unless local officials specifically invite them.
“One thing I say to my people. You know, we do a good job, we don’t get credit for it. I say they have to ask, and they have to say please,” Trump said. When Llamas asked who would have to make that request, Trump replied: “The mayor or the governor.”
Trump added he did not want federal authorities entering cities without consent from state or local leaders.
“I don’t wanna go and force ourselves into a city, even if their numbers are terrible,” he said.
Trump Points to Louisiana, Mentions Five More Cities
Trump said Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry had reached out to request federal support in parts of the state, describing it as an example of how his approach would work.
“I got a call from Jeff Landry, governor of Louisiana. He said, ‘We have a big problem. Could you go in and help us with — with,’” Trump said, referring to “certain sections of the state.” Trump said federal authorities carried out operations in Louisiana after that request.
He also said his administration was weighing enforcement actions in five additional cities, but insisted any move would depend on a formal invitation.
“We have five cities that we’re looking at very strongly. But we wanna be invited,” Trump said. He added that federal officials might also contact governors directly to ask whether they wanted assistance.
Crime Claims, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.
Trump framed federal involvement as a way to reduce crime, mentioning Chicago as one place he believes could see major change.
“We could straighten out the crime in Chicago,” he said, adding, “We’ve already brought it down 25% just by being there,” though he did not cite data during the interview.
He also pointed to Washington, D.C., describing it as an example of what he called successful federal action.
“We took over 2,000 hard-core criminals out of Washington, D.C.,” Trump said. “If we didn’t do that — 2% of the people create 90% of the crime.” He said those removals resulted in “a safe city.”
San Francisco and a Request to Wait
Trump said he had also been urged by people in San Francisco to hold off on federal intervention, describing private appeals to give the city’s mayor more time.
“San Francisco said, ‘Please, we have a Democrat mayor. He’s trying very hard. Would you — friends of mine that live there. It’s got crime problems. Would you let him do the job and not come in?’” Trump said.
He said he responded: “Look, I can do it much quicker, much faster.”
What Else the Interview Covered
The interview touched on immigration enforcement, crime, the economy, artificial intelligence and the Federal Reserve, according to NBC News.
Federal immigration enforcement is carried out by agencies within the Department of Homeland Security and typically involves coordination with state and local authorities. Local governments are not required to participate in federal immigration operations unless they enter into specific agreements.
Trump also said illegal border crossings were at “historic lows,” responding to a question from Llamas about immigration enforcement, and credited his administration’s policies for the decline.
