Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff has stirred controversy by suggesting that President Donald Trump should deploy the National Guard to San Francisco to address rising crime rates, during an interview with the New York Times.
Benioff, who made these remarks while traveling on his private plane, expressed concern over public safety during Salesforce events, stating he has had to hire hundreds of off-duty police officers to maintain order in the convention area.
He emphasized the need for more police presence in the city, arguing that the city should ‘refund’ the police, even though San Francisco’s police force was never defunded in the first place.
‘We don’t have enough cops, so if they can be cops, I’m all for it,’ Benioff said regarding the potential involvement of National Guard members in policing efforts.
While Trump has deployed the National Guard to other major cities like Chicago and Los Angeles during times of unrest, the deployment of such troops for law enforcement in San Francisco raises legal concerns. The Posse Comitatus Act restricts the use of armed forces to enforce criminal laws in most scenarios.
Furthermore, a federal judge recently ruled that Trump’s deployment of National Guard troops in Los Angeles violated this act, as the troops acted in a capacity indistinguishable from local law enforcement officers, blurring the lines of their legal role.
Following Benioff’s comments, San Francisco District Attorney Brooke Jenkins took to social media to speak out against the potential implications of such deployments.
Jenkins condemned the notion of using federal troops for public safety as a form of ‘government-sponsored violence’ and reassured residents that she would hold accountable anyone, including government officials, who violates the law.
‘I am responsible for holding criminals accountable, and that includes holding government and law enforcement officials too, when they cross the bounds of the law,’ Jenkins stated. ‘Let me be clear. If you come to San Francisco and illegally harass our residents, use excessive force or cross any other boundaries that the law proscribes, I will not hesitate to do my job.’
Benioff’s sentiments come at a time when tensions regarding public safety and law enforcement are high, particularly in the tech community, which has often found itself at odds with local governance.
His alignment with Trump’s approach has raised eyebrows, especially among liberal residents who feel unsettled by the CEO’s praise for Trump’s policies. In a December 2024 interview, Benioff expressed his belief in supporting elected leaders once they assume office, indicating a perspective that aligns with maintaining a connection to the current administration.
The issue of public safety is also a priority for San Francisco’s Mayor Daniel Lurie. In response to concerns, Lurie’s office released a statement highlighting the administration’s ongoing commitment to enhancing police staffing levels through the ‘Rebuilding the Ranks’ plan.
Mayor Lurie noted that San Francisco has seen a decrease in crime rates, with a nearly 30% decline citywide, signaling improvements in public safety.
‘Crime is down nearly 30% citywide and at its lowest point in decades,’ Lurie’s team stated, indicating progress toward meeting the recommended police staff target of 2,000 officers.
As the debate unfolds, the legal and ethical implications of using military personnel for policing reveals broad concerns about public safety, governance, and the legal frameworks that dictate law enforcement practices.
While discussions around crime in San Francisco continue, local authorities remain focused on improving safety through community-oriented strategies, aiming to maintain public trust and security in the city.
image source from：yahoo
