Marc Benioff Apologizes After Suggesting Troops for SF
Marc Benioff, the prominent billionaire CEO of cloud software giant Salesforce and owner of Time magazine, issued a public apology Friday, retracting his earlier statements that endorsed the deployment of federal troops to San Francisco. The executive’s reversal comes amidst a torrent of criticism and growing public outcry across California following his controversial remarks.
In a recent online post, Benioff underscored that his revised perspective stemmed from actively engaging with community members and local governance. “After listening closely to my fellow San Franciscans and our local officials,” he wrote, “I do not believe the National Guard is needed to address safety in San Francisco.”
Controversial Call for Federal Intervention
Benioff’s initial comments, which sparked the widespread debate, were made during an interview with the New York Times last week. At the time, he expressed support for federal intervention, stating, “We don’t have enough cops, so if they can be cops, I’m all for it.” The Times report also noted his “avid” support for then-President Donald Trump, who had recently suggested San Francisco as a potential target for federal troop deployment.
The tech mogul clarified that his original remarks “came from an abundance of caution” in the lead-up to Dreamforce, Salesforce’s major annual conference, which concluded this week in San Francisco. The event draws tens of thousands of attendees and is a significant economic driver for the city.
“I sincerely apologize for the concern it caused,” Benioff concluded in his apology. “It’s my firm belief that our city makes the most progress when we all work together in a spirit of partnership.”
Backlash and Legal Precedents
The suggestion of deploying federal troops for domestic law enforcement duties ignited an immediate uproar. Critics swiftly pointed to long-standing federal statutes that largely prohibit the use of military personnel for civilian police functions within the United States, emphasizing the critical separation between military and domestic policing roles.
Furthermore, Benioff’s pro-Trump stance and his call for federal intervention represented a notable shift from his previously vocal support for liberal policies. During the Trump administration’s first term, he emerged as an outspoken advocate against wealth inequality. He actively backed a 2018 local ballot initiative in San Francisco aimed at taxing large corporations to significantly boost funding for homeless services.
In a Guardian interview from that period, Benioff notably challenged other billionaires, accusing them of “hoarding” their fortunes. He also sharply criticized opponents of the homeless services measure, asserting, “You’re either for the homeless or you’re for yourself.”
Local Leaders Reject Intervention
California state and San Francisco city leaders have consistently voiced strong opposition to any federal intervention, asserting that such a move is neither welcome nor necessary. Their stance reinforces the principle of local control over public safety matters and rejects the premise that external military forces are required to maintain order.
While Benioff maintains a significant presence in San Francisco through his company, he reportedly resides primarily in Hawaii, according to the New York Times. His apology seeks to mend fences and reaffirm his commitment to collaborative progress within the city he has long championed, despite this recent misstep.
Source: The Guardian
