Executives from Intel and Under Armour resigned from Donald Trump’s manufacturing council over the president’s response to the Charlottesville attack.
Aug. 15 (UPI) — Intel CEO Brian Krzanich and Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank have resigned from Donald Trump ‘s American Manufacturing Council over the president’s response to the Charlottesville, Va., attack.
Krzanich said he resigned Monday to « call attention to the serious harm our divided political climate is causing to critical issues. »
The Intel executive said important issues, such as the decline of American manufacturing, have been « sidelined » by « politics and political agendas. »
« 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, » Krzanich said in a statement . « 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. »
Trump has been criticized for his response to the deadly Charlottesville incident. One critic, Merck CEO Kenneth Frazier, was the first to resign from the council — suggesting Trump’s response did not « clearly » reject « hatred, bigotry and group supremacy. »
Plank said in a statement that he appreciated the opportunity to serve on the council but he has decided to step down.
« 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, » Plank said .
Trump’s council, set up to advise the president on American manufacturing, is chaired by Dow Chemical Co. CEO Andrew Liveris.
Other council members include Dell Technologies Inc. CEO Michael Dell, Whirlpool Corp. CEO Jeff Fettig and General Electric Co. CEO Jeff Immelt .
In June, Tesla CEO Elon Musk resigned from this and another council after Trump said he would withdraw the United States from the landmark Paris climate change agreement.
