Cheers and jeers for Gloria

Is it fair to call Mayor Todd Gloria embattled? 

He leads what has become a blue city, and the Trump administration has shown itself to be an antagonist to those the president regards as political foes, and to California cities in particular. Gloria wants to achieve several goals, particularly in regards to housing and homelessness, but he needs the state and federal government to help. 

And his city is cash-starved. As is the state, while the administration has shown little inclination to fund the types of social programs that cities have long relied upon to serve their most vulnerable citizens.

Nor is great goodwill overflowing toward him in communities, where many residents have been angered by what they see as unchecked development and rising fees that add burdens to households already hit hard by San Diego’s high cost of living.

So if Gloria appeared a bit weary for his State of the City speech Thursday, who can blame him? The hecklers didn’t help and the mayor didn’t appear as nimble as usual in addressing their concerns, many of which focused on ICE. He held back, waiting for the public safety portion of his speech to counter their complaints rather than doing so directly, which might have silenced a couple of them.

Some of Gloria’s takeaways from 2025? He’s achieving housing goals for the city and there are fewer homeless people on the streets because City Hall has helped to give them a place to stay. 

But tellingly, he also said, “You’re seeing a city that is matching its responsibilities with its resources. You’re seeing a city that is finally choosing long-term strength over short-term comfort.” 

He didn’t use the word pain, but honestly that sounds like a painful process. And a warning to San Diegans that comfort is not in the immediate plan, nor likely in our current times.

Thoughts? Opinions? Share them with us at news@timesofsandiego.com.