Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff Faces Backlash Over National Guard Comments

"...Benioff's comments shocked some city officials and were immediately seized on by other tech giants close to Trump, like Elon Musk, who echoed Benioff's call to bring the National Guard to San Francisco...."

"...But other local officials blasted Benioff for adding fuel to the president’s decision to send the military to largely Democratic cities, including Portland, Chicago and Los Angeles...."

"...Benioff’s latest comments signal to Keally McBride, a professor of politics at the University of San Francisco, that Benioff, who has largely relocated in recent years to Hawaii, “is probably not in touch with what life in San Francisco really is like these days. And he’s not thinking very clearly about the human costs that are associated with bringing in the National Guard to police.”..."

"...His remarks also pose a challenge for Lurie, who, while steering clear of criticizing Trump, has also sought to foster relationships with tech leaders...."

"...The mayor, a Levi Strauss heir, is walking a tightrope in trying to court business interest in the city, at a time when the city has had to cut millions of dollars from its annual budget and is increasingly looking to private philanthropy to fill in the gaps. Angering Benioff, who has poured millions of dollars into various San Francisco causes, could have serious repercussions...."

"...At the start of Lurie’s term this year, McBride said she hoped Lurie’s keep-quiet approach, “would mean that San Francisco would dodge the ire of Donald Trump, and that his affiliation with the tech industry leaders would help in that regard,” she said...."

"...Lurie has remained silent as Trump has sent the National Guard to crack down on protests against increased immigration raids and arrests, and as the president said he will continue to send troops to Democratic strongholds like San Francisco to fight a “war from within.”..."

"...Now, that approach is being tested...."

"...“Benioff’s statements, if anything, serve as encouragement to the Trump Administration. It could be decisive,” McBride said. “But, it’s really hard to know what the White House will do. I’m way beyond trying to predict what’s going to happen next week.”..."