Intel CEO joins Merck, Under Armour in quitting Trump's jobs council

Roger Yu | USA TODAY

Show Caption Hide Caption Three CEO's quit Trump's advisory council after Charlottesville More CEOs are turning the back on President Trump following his delayed condemnation of white supremacists after the violent rally in Charlottesville.

Intel CEO Brian Krzanich stepped down from President Trump's business advisory council late Monday, becoming the third chief executive to cease working with the administration following Trump's response to the white nationalists' rally in Charlottesville, Va.

Writing on the tech company's blog, Krzanich said he resigned from the American Manufacturing Council — a group of business executives Trump formed earlier this year to advise him on creating manufacturing jobs — "to call attention to the serious harm our divided political climate is causing to critical issues."

"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," he wrote. "I resigned because I want to make progress."

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"I am an engineer who has spent most of his career working in factories that manufacture the world’s most advanced devices," he wrote. "Yet, it is clear even to me that nearly every issue is now politicized to the point where significant progress is impossible."

Trump's initial refusal to specifically mention neo-Nazis, KKK and other racist groups that rallied in Charlottesville triggered wide criticism.

Merck's CEO quits manufacturing council over Charlottesville response President Trump has lost the only African American CEO on his manufacturing council for his comments on Charlottesville.

Merck CEO Ken Frazier heightened pressure from the business community by announcing his resignation Monday morning, calling it "a matter of personal conscience."

Frazier's move was followed by statements from several other CEOs who denounced racism and asserted their commitment to diversity.

Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank then joined Frazier late Monday in quitting the council.

"We remain resolute in our potential and ability to improve American manufacturing," Plank said in a statement. "However, Under Armour engages in innovation and sports, not politics."

AFL-CIO President Richard Trumka also said his group is "assessing" its role in the council.

“The AFL-CIO has unequivocally denounced the actions of bigoted domestic terrorists in Charlottesville and called on the president to do the same,” Trumka said. “There are real questions into the effectiveness of this council to deliver real policy that lifts working families.”

After repeated calls for a more forceful response, Trump addressed reporters in the White House on Monday afternoon and said "racism is evil."

"And those who cause violence in its name are criminals and thugs, including the KKK, neo-Nazis, white supremacists, and other hate groups," Trump said.