Marc Benioff Apologizes for National Guard Comment in San Francisco

Marc Benioff Revises Stance on National Guard Deployment in San Francisco

Marc Benioff, the co-founder and CEO of Salesforce, has indicated a change in perspective regarding his previous suggestions for National Guard intervention in San Francisco.

Following feedback from San Francisco residents and local authorities, and after the successful conclusion of Dreamforce, Benioff stated he no longer believes a National Guard presence is necessary to ensure public safety. He communicated this revision via a post on X.

Initial Comments and Subsequent Controversy

The shift comes after Benioff’s earlier statements, made during an interview with The New York Times, where he voiced support for former President Donald Trump’s proposals to deploy National Guard troops to San Francisco and other cities with Democratic leadership.

Benioff’s initial concerns stemmed from potential public safety expenses associated with the large-scale Dreamforce conference held in San Francisco. He also expressed support for Trump, stating the former president was “doing a great job.”

Backlash and Repercussions

This pro-Trump sentiment, coupled with the call for the National Guard, triggered a negative reaction from long-standing associates and Democratic officials.

• Ron Conway, a prominent venture capitalist, resigned from the Salesforce Foundation board.
• Conway reportedly communicated to Benioff his difficulty in recognizing the person he had previously admired.

Furthermore, a planned event featuring Benioff and San Francisco mayor Dan Lurie was canceled, officially attributed to inclement weather.

Positive Response to Benioff's Revised Position

State senator Scott Wiener, representing San Francisco, expressed gratitude for Benioff’s retraction of the National Guard request. Wiener acknowledged Benioff’s past contributions to the city and welcomed the change in position.

National Guard Deployments in Other Cities

Meanwhile, former President Trump has already authorized National Guard deployments to cities like Washington, D.C., and Chicago. Attempts to deploy troops to Portland have been temporarily halted by a judicial ruling.

Illinois governor JB Pritzker has characterized these deployments as an “invasion” of his state.