Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff Supports Deployment of National Guard to San Francisco

Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff has expressed support for deploying National Guard troops to San Francisco to address the city's police staffing shortages. In a recent interview, Benioff stated, "We don't have enough cops, so if they can be cops, I'm all for it."

Benioff highlighted that the city is short approximately 1,000 police officers and believes that National Guard troops could help reduce crime. He also mentioned plans to hire hundreds of off-duty law enforcement officers for Salesforce's upcoming Dreamforce conference, which is expected to attract 50,000 attendees from over 140 countries.

Despite Benioff's concerns, city officials report that crime rates have declined, with violent crime down nearly 30% citywide and at its lowest point in decades. Mayor Daniel Lurie's office emphasized ongoing efforts to increase police staffing through the Rebuilding the Ranks plan, aiming to reach 2,000 officers.

Benioff's comments have drawn criticism from local officials. State Senator Scott Wiener stated, "We neither need nor want an illegal military occupation in San Francisco." District Attorney Brooke Jenkins expressed concerns about federal intervention in local law enforcement matters.

Benioff's support for federal intervention marks a notable shift from his previous progressive stances, including support for Hillary Clinton and initiatives addressing homelessness.