Two More CEOs Quit Trump Manufacturing Council Over Charlottesville Response

Underarmor and Intel CEOs quit Trump’s manufacturing council because of Donald Trump’s response to Charlottesville violence.

The CEOs of Intel and Under Armor both announced their resignation from the White House Manufacturing Council on Monday evening.

In a blog post, Intel CEO Brian Krzanich said that the decline in American manufacturing remains a serious issue, but said that “politics and political agendas have sidelined the important mission of rebuilding America’s manufacturing base.”

“I resigned to call attention to the serious harm our divided political climate is causing to critical issues, including the serious need to address the decline of American manufacturing,” Krzanich said in a blog post. “Politics and political agendas have sidelined the important mission of rebuilding America’s manufacturing base.”

For his part, Under Armor CEO Kevin Plank said “I joined the American Manufacturing Council because I believed it was important for Under Armour to have an active seat at the table and represent our industry.”

“However, Under Armor engages in innovation and sports, not politics,” Plank continued.

“I love our country and our company and will continue to focus my efforts on inspiring every person that they can do anything through the power of sport which promotes unity, diversity and inclusion.”

The announcements from the CEOs follow Merck CEO Kenneth Frazier’s announcement Monday morning that he was resigning the president’s advisory council.

Here is the full statement from Under Armor CEO Kevin Plank:

And here is Krzanich’s full statement:

Earlier today, I tendered my resignation from the American Manufacturing Council. I resigned to call attention to the serious harm our divided political climate is causing to critical issues, including the serious need to address the decline of American manufacturing. Politics and political agendas have sidelined the important mission of rebuilding America’s manufacturing base.

I have already made clear my abhorrence at the recent hate-spawned violence in Charlottesville, and earlier today I called on all leaders to condemn the white supremacists and their ilk who marched and committed violence. I resigned because I want to make progress, while many in Washington seem more concerned with attacking anyone who disagrees with them. We should honor – not attack – those who have stood up for equality and other cherished American values. I hope this will change, and I remain willing to serve when it does.I am not a politician.

I am an engineer who has spent most of his career working in factories that manufacture the world’s most advanced devices. Yet, it is clear even to me that nearly every issue is now politicized to the point where significant progress is impossible. Promoting American manufacturing should not be a political issue.My request—my plea—to everyone involved in our political system is this: set scoring political points aside and focus on what is best for the nation as a whole. The current environment must change, or else our nation will become a shadow of what it once was and what it still can and should be.

[image via Twitter]

Trump Bashes Merck CEO Who Quit White House Council Over Trump Charlottesville Comments