In a dramatic turn of events, San Francisco narrowly avoided a potential federal intervention this week, thanks to the persuasive power of local tech titans Marc Benioff and Jensen Huang.

President Trump had been considering sending federal agents into San Francisco to address crime, but after phone conversations with Salesforce CEO Marc Benioff and Nvidia CEO Jensen Huang, he decided to stand down. The tech leaders reportedly convinced Trump that the city’s future remains promising and that Mayor Daniel Lurie is making substantial progress in addressing urban challenges.

Trump’s initial plan involved deploying 100 US Customs and Border Patrol agents to the Bay Area, with a specific focus on San Francisco. However, after speaking with local business leaders and Mayor Lurie, he agreed to pause the federal intervention.

In a statement on Truth Social, Trump acknowledged that while he believes the federal government could resolve issues faster, he would give Mayor Lurie a chance to demonstrate improvement. The White House, however, maintained a cautious stance, with Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt emphasizing that they would continue monitoring the situation closely.

The potential federal surge sparked immediate resistance from California’s political leadership. Governor Gavin Newsom and San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu had already prepared legal challenges, promising to sue the Trump administration if troops were deployed.

This incident highlights the complex dynamics between federal authorities and local governments, as well as the significant influence tech industry leaders can wield in political negotiations. Benioff and Huang’s intervention demonstrates how Bay Area business executives can potentially shape national policy discussions.

Protest rallies were still planned in San Francisco, San Jose, and Redwood City, indicating ongoing community concern about potential federal intervention and urban crime issues.

While the immediate threat has passed, the White House’s statement suggests this situation remains volatile, with the potential for future federal action depending on San Francisco’s progress in addressing urban challenges.