“I fully support the president.”
Marc Benioff — CEO of Salesforce, owner of Time magazine, and longtime figure in San Francisco’s civic life — has called on President Donald Trump to send in the National Guard to address what he described as an overwhelmed and understaffed police force in San Francisco.
Benioff made the remarks in a recent interview with The New York Times, where he voiced explicit support for federal intervention in the city’s growing public safety challenges. “If they can be cops, I’m all for it,” he said of National Guard personnel.
His comments mark a notable shift from his past reputation as a liberal-leaning tech donor. Now, Benioff appears fully aligned with Trump on crime policy — a striking reversal in tone and positioning from a man who has previously backed progressive causes in both business and politics.
Calling for Backup: “Refund the Police”
Benioff told the Times that San Francisco’s police force is stretched too thin and unable to manage the growing demands of law enforcement. He said that he sometimes hires off-duty officers himself to provide additional security and made clear that he supports efforts to “refund” the police — a direct rejection of the “defund” rhetoric that gained traction in left-wing enclaves during recent years. (RELATED: San Francisco Agrees To Shut Down Scheme Giving Free Cash To Minority Men Who Identify As Women)
His call for National Guard support wasn’t abstract. Benioff stated plainly that federal troops should supplement local law enforcement — framing the move not as a militarized crackdown, but as a practical step to restore order in a city he says is struggling to function.
Local Officials Push Back
The backlash from San Francisco officials came quickly and firmly.
District Attorney Brooke Jenkins warned that any “unlawful harassment or use of excessive force” by federal troops would be met with accountability. Members of the Board of Supervisors dismissed Benioff’s proposal as “out of step” with city values, and some questioned whether his remarks amounted to opportunism. (RELATED: Questions Grow As San Francisco Prosecutor Refuses To Release Footage Or Tapes Of Pelosi Attack)
Others, particularly in civic and philanthropic circles, viewed the statement as a betrayal. Benioff has a long history of donating to local causes and has often positioned himself as an ally to progressive leaders. His latest comments left many wondering whether he has abandoned that stance.
Political Realignment — Or Business Move?
The timing of Benioff’s remarks is no coincidence. Salesforce’s massive Dreamforce conference — one of the company’s most important annual events — is scheduled to take place soon in downtown San Francisco. The event draws thousands of attendees and represents a major economic investment in the city.
Critics suggest his push for law-and-order measures could be more about protecting the event’s success than signaling a broader ideological shift. But even if it’s a business calculation, it points to a larger trend: tech leaders who once championed progressive ideals are now openly questioning the competence of local governance and calling for tougher action.
Legal and Political Barriers Remain
Even if Trump were to agree with Benioff’s request, deploying National Guard troops to San Francisco would face significant hurdles. Such a move would almost certainly draw lawsuits and meet stiff resistance from city officials and residents alike.
Still, the fact that a high-profile tech executive — and a former liberal donor — is publicly calling for this kind of intervention is telling. It suggests growing frustration among San Francisco’s business class and signals that the political ground may be shifting, even in one of America’s most famously progressive cities.
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He’s right for once. Go for it, Donald!
Is he serious??
You have to talk to your obstructionist Governor!!!!