Trump Makes A Unexpected Move Regarding Troops In New York

President Donald Trump has stepped back from plans to send National Guard troops to New York City, saying other places need help more right now.

Speaking with reporters at the White House on Saturday, Trump said he would act only if the city asked. “If they need it, [I will send troops]. Right now, other places need it more, but if they need it,” he responded.

The president added, “We talked about that, but if they need it, I would do it.” His words follow a string of recent moves in which the White House sent troops to cities led by Democrats, including Chicago and Los Angeles, where critics say they have triggered violent raids and brutal arrests.

Trump met Friday with New York City Mayor elect Zohran Mamdani at the White House. The two had traded insults in interviews and on social media before the meeting, so many expected a tense face to face.

Before the meeting, Trump had threatened to starve New York City of funding should Mamdani win the mayor race. The threat raised alarms in the city and made the meeting a test of whether the two could find common ground.

The pair surprised some observers with a cordial public exchange, even as Mamdani kept up his sharp words about the president. When asked during the meeting if he still views Trump as a fascist, the president cut in and said, “That’s OK, you can just say yes. It’s easier than explaining it, I don’t mind.”

“OK, yes,” the mayor elect responded with a smile as Trump gave him a light pat on the arm. The scene felt oddly friendly for a president and a mayor elect who had been at odds.

Mamdani later told NBC that he still stands by his past comments about Trump. “That’s something that I’ve said in the past. I say it today,” he said, adding that the meeting had been honest and direct.

“And I think what I appreciated about the conversation that I had with the president was that we were not shy about the places of disagreement, about the politics that has brought us to this moment.” He said the two also spoke about shared goals on housing.

“And we also wanted to focus on what it could look like to deliver on a shared analysis of an affordability crisis for New Yorkers.” That part of the talk drew nods from both sides and gave the meeting a practical ending.

Mamdani beat out former New York governor Andrew Cuomo and Republican Curtis Sliwa in the mayoral race earlier this month. His victory and his push on housing put pressure on both the city and the federal government to show results.

Civil rights groups and some city leaders said they would watch any move to send troops with worry. Legal experts warned that deploying the Guard to a city without a clear local request could spark fights in court.

Featured image via YouTube screengrab