Marc Benioff, co-founder and CEO of Salesforce, has publicly urged former President Donald Trump to send National Guard troops to San Francisco, arguing the city’s leadership has failed to maintain public safety. The remarks, made during an interview with The New York Times, mark a stark departure from San Francisco’s image as a reliably Democratic stronghold — and reflect how parts of Silicon Valley are quietly realigning in favor of Trump’s law-and-order posture.
A “Blue” City Under Critique
San Francisco has long been associated with progressive policies and liberal leadership — a city where Democratic wins are the norm, and dissenting voices from tech elites are rare. Yet Benioff’s call to federalise enforcement in the city challenges that political identity. The shift is especially noteworthy given his past support for liberal causes and influence in the local civic ecosystem.
Tech’s Quiet Pivot toward Trump
Benioff’s comments echo a subtle but growing trend among some Bay Area executives: public acknowledgement of Trump’s agenda, especially around security and infrastructure. In his interview, Benioff went further than praise — he backed direct federal intervention in local law enforcement, effectively subverting city control. He also said, “If they can be cops, I’m all for it,” suggesting that the National Guard could supplement or replace underperforming local policing.
This positioning isn’t just rhetorical. Benioff has emphasized his full support for Trump, describing their conversations and even complimenting the former president’s governing style. “I fully support the president,” he said. “I think he’s doing a great job.” It’s a departure from the conventional tech-industry posture of opposition or measured neutrality.
Legal and Political Backlash
The call for troop deployment isn’t legally straightforward. The Posse Comitatus Act restricts federal military involvement in domestic law enforcement—a constraint invoked by courts when Trump previously attempted similar moves in cities like Los Angeles and Portland. Local leaders have already pushed back: San Francisco’s district attorney warned of legal accountability for any overreach, and the mayor’s office pointed to declining crime and staffing investments as evidence the city is improving.
San Francisco’s district attorney, Brooke Jenkins, was among the first to respond to Benioff's claims. She warned that any illegal action by outside forces would be met with legal accountability. “If you come to San Francisco and illegally harass our residents … I will not hesitate to do my job,” she wrote on social media.
Mayor Daniel Lurie, who has avoided naming Trump explicitly, countered Benioff’s claims with statistics: crime is down 30% overall and 40% in the financial district, and staffing for the police force has increased.
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