Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff has issued an apology following public outcry over his initial support for potentially deploying the National Guard to San Francisco. The move was suggested by President Donald Trump amidst concerns about the city’s safety.
“Having listened closely to my fellow San Franciscans and our local officials, and after the largest and safest Dreamforce in our history, I do not believe the National Guard is needed to address safety in San Francisco,” Benioff stated in a post on X.
The controversy erupted after comments Benioff made in a New York Times article last week surfaced. Benioff had initially indicated a willingness to accept federal troops, stating, “We don’t have enough cops, so if they can be cops, I’m all for it,” referencing the security preparations around the recently concluded Dreamforce conference.
These remarks ignited a firestorm of criticism from local politicians and community leaders. California Governor Gavin Newsom and multiple San Francisco officials made public statements emphasizing that federal troops were not welcome and highlighting the declining crime rates within the city.
The fallout extended beyond political spheres. Prominent venture capitalist Ron Conway, a long-time Democratic donor and backer of tech giants like Google and Airbnb, resigned from the Salesforce Foundation board. Conway cited misalignment of values in an email to Benioff, according to sources at The New York Times, signaling a significant rift within the Silicon Valley power structure.
The incident spotlights the growing tensions between the tech industry, San Francisco governance, and the evolving political landscape. Benioff’s initial stance, interpreted by many as a tacit endorsement of Trump’s approach to urban security, clashed sharply with the city’s progressive values and sparked a debate about the appropriate role of federal intervention in local affairs.
Adding fuel to the fire, David Sacks, a venture capitalist now serving as Trump’s advisor on AI and cryptocurrency, chimed in, suggesting Benioff might find a more welcoming political home within the Republican party. This followed an on-stage interview featuring both Sacks and Benioff at Dreamforce, highlighting the increasingly intertwined nature of Silicon Valley and national politics.
Following Benioff’s attempt to clarify his position, figures like Elon Musk amplified the initial comments, portraying San Francisco as a city in crisis. Musk’s characterization further inflamed public opinion and underscored the power of social media in shaping the narrative around urban issues.
Benioff later stated on X that safety is “first and foremost, the responsibility of our city and state leaders.” He added in his Friday mea culpa, “My earlier comment came from an abundance of caution around the event, and I sincerely apologize for the concern it caused,” emphasizing the importance of collaboration between the city and its stakeholders.
The controversy also prompted criticism from Garry Tan, CEO of Y Combinator, who firmly stated, “We don’t need the National Guard,” though he also used the opportunity to criticize local officials and judges. This illustrates the ongoing debate within San Francisco regarding governance and the effectiveness of current policies.
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