In a heartfelt and thought-provoking discussion at the Sacramento Speakers Series, former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg tackled a hot-button issue: the potential deployment of National Guard troops to San Francisco. In response to President Trump’s controversial proposal, he offered an intriguing take on the cost—pointing out that deploying a guardsman could instead fund the salaries of two to three police officers or mental health professionals. That’s some serious math that makes you wonder where our priorities really stand!
Buttigieg, who knows a thing or two about military deployment given his service, also raised concerns about the constitutional implications of sending in troops to address what he sees as more a matter of power than true public safety. He recently chatted with San Francisco’s mayor, who’s aiming for what could be the city’s lowest murder rate since the 1950s. It sounds like a clairvoyant prediction, doesn’t it? But can such crime-fighting strategies really hold their ground against military might?
As this debate rages on, one has to ponder: are we really better off turning to the National Guard for community safety, or should we be doubling down on grassroots efforts and community resources? Either way, Buttigieg’s insights spark conversations that extend beyond just the headlines. So let’s kick off the discussion: what do you think? Are boots on the ground the answer or simply a misstep?
