In a striking display of progressive pressure tactics, Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff has publicly retracted his support for deploying the National Guard to address San Francisco’s ongoing public safety crisis, demonstrating yet another instance of left-wing activists forcing business leaders to conform to their agenda.
Benioff, who previously suggested that President Trump should send National Guard troops to restore order in San Francisco, issued an about-face statement following intense backlash from Democratic politicians and progressive activists. “I do not believe the National Guard is needed to address safety in San Francisco,” Benioff wrote, directly contradicting his earlier assessment of the city’s deteriorating conditions.
The facts paint a clear picture: San Francisco continues to struggle with rampant drug use, homelessness, and property crime. While local Democratic officials claim crime rates are declining, businesses and residents face daily challenges that progressive policies have failed to address. The effectiveness of National Guard deployments in restoring order, as demonstrated in other major cities, presents an empirical case for considering similar measures in San Francisco.
The left’s reaction to Benioff’s initial comments was swift and predictable. Governor Gavin Newsom, whose tenure has overseen California’s decline, quickly mobilized to reject any federal assistance. Local politicians, seemingly more concerned with maintaining their progressive credentials than addressing citizen safety, joined the chorus of opposition.
In a telling development, Ron Conway, a prominent startup investor and Democratic donor, resigned from the Salesforce Foundation’s board, citing “misalignment of values.” Conway, who has funneled approximately $500,000 to support Kamala Harris’s failed presidential aspirations, exemplifies the left’s intolerance for any deviation from approved narratives.
The incident highlights a growing pattern in American politics: successful business leaders who dare to acknowledge conservative solutions to urban problems face immediate ostracism from progressive circles. David Sacks, Trump’s AI and crypto advisor, extended an olive branch to Benioff, noting that Republicans remain the truly inclusive party, welcoming those who prioritize practical solutions over ideological purity.
This episode serves as a stark reminder of how progressive orthodoxy continues to stifle honest dialogue about urban safety and effective law enforcement strategies. While Benioff’s capitulation may preserve his standing among Democratic elites, it does nothing to address the legitimate concerns of San Francisco residents who deserve real solutions to their city’s ongoing crisis.
The fact remains that cities where National Guard deployments have occurred have seen measurable improvements in public safety and order. By forcing Benioff to recant his support for such measures, progressive activists have once again demonstrated their preference for ideological conformity over practical problem-solving.
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