Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff Apologizes for Guard Comments

URGENT UPDATE: Salesforce Inc. (NYSE:CRM) CEO Marc Benioff has just issued a public apology for his earlier support of President Donald Trump‘s controversial proposal to deploy the National Guard to San Francisco. In a post on X, Benioff clarified that discussions with local leaders and the community led him to conclude that military intervention is unnecessary.

Benioff stated, “Having listened closely to my fellow San Franciscans and our local officials—and after the largest and safest Dreamforce in our history—I do not believe the National Guard is needed to address safety in San Francisco.” He emphasized that his prior comments were made out of an “abundance of caution” regarding safety concerns.

This apology comes on the heels of backlash from Silicon Valley, particularly after his comments made during an October 10 interview with the New York Times, where he noted that the city’s police shortage had forced Salesforce to hire 200 additional officers for security. His statements sparked outrage, leading to significant public criticism and resignations, including that of angel investor Ron Conway from the Salesforce Foundation board.

Benioff faced additional scrutiny from prominent figures, including Laurene Powell Jobs, who criticized him in a Wall Street Journal op-ed for allegedly leveraging his wealth for political influence. This uproar reflects the heightened tensions around public safety and political discourse within the tech community.

President Trump has already deployed troops to cities like Los Angeles and Washington, D.C., but legal challenges have prevented similar actions in Chicago and Portland. His proposal to send troops to San Francisco was criticized, underscoring the ongoing debate regarding the effectiveness of military presence in urban environments. Benioff’s initial remarks suggested that National Guard support could help mitigate crime in a city currently facing a shortage of approximately 1,000 police officers.

This developing story highlights the complex interplay between corporate leadership and political influence. As the situation unfolds, many are left questioning the future of public safety measures in San Francisco and the broader implications for tech leaders engaging in political commentary.

Stay tuned for updates as this story develops.