MONEY

Who's on and off Trump's manufacturing council? Here's the list.

Roger Yu and Kellie Ell
USA TODAY

Several members of President Trump's manufacturing jobs council resigned following what was widely considered an inadequate response from the president to violence in Charlottesville, Va. over the weekend that led to three deaths. USA TODAY reached out to all original members of the council. Here's where they stand:

FILE - AUGUST 14, 2017: It was reported that Merck & Co Inc Chief Executive Kenneth Frazier resigned from U.S. President Donald Trump's American Manufacturing Council, saying he was taking a stand against intolerance and extremism. Here's who else on the council is staying and who is going. August 14, 2017. WASHINGTON, DC - FEBRUARY 23:  U.S. President Donald Trump speaks during the opening of a listening session with manufacturing CEOs in the State Dining Room of the White House February 23, 2017 in Washington, DC. Trump met with the CEOs in an effort to develop beneficial new policies on taxes, trade and job creation. Also pictured is Kenneth Frazier (R) CEO of Merck & Company.  (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 700008171 ORIG FILE ID: 644192712

OFF: 

Kenneth Frazier, Merck

Frazier announced on Twitter that he is resigning from the council, saying, "America's leaders must honor our fundamental values by clearly rejecting expressions of hatred, bigotry and group supremacy, which run counter to the American ideal that all people are created equal."  

Brian Krzanich, Intel Corp.

Krzanich is resigning from the council. Writing on the tech company's blog, Krzanich said he is resigning "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. I resigned because I want to make progress."

Mark Fields, Ford Motor Co.

In May, Fields left the Ford Motor Company. A spokesperson for the company confirmed that there is no representative from Ford on the council.

Mario Longhi, U.S. Steel

Longhi retired in June. A spokesperson said the company is no longer a member of the council.

Scott Paul, Alliance for American Manufacturing

Paul could not be reached by USA TODAY. But via Twitter Paul announced that he would resign, saying: "I'm resigning from the Manufacturing Jobs Initiative because it's the right thing for me to do."

Kevin Plank, Under Armour

Plank is resigning from the council and released an official statement:

"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. We remain resolute in our potential and ability to improve American manufacturing. However, Under Armour engages in innovation and sports, not politics. I am appreciative of the opportunity to have served, but have decided to step down from the council. 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."

Elon Musk, Tesla

Musk resigned from the President's Council in June because of disagreements with the Trump administration's policy on climate change.

Richard Trumka, AFL-CIO

Late Tuesday, Trumka tweeted a statement reversing an earlier confirmation that he would remain on the council. The reversal followed a Trump briefing in New York City Tuesday afternoon where the president defended his initial response that many sides were to blame for the Charlottesville clashes, arguing that left wing groups were just as violent as the white supremacists who staged a demonstration in the Virginia city. 

"We cannot sit on a council for a president who tolerates bigotry and domestic terrorism. President Trump's remarks today repudiate his forced remarks yesterday about the KKK and neo-Nazis." The statement went on to say, "We joined this council with the intent to be a voice for working people and real hope that it would result in positive economic policy, but it has become yet another broken promise on the president's record."

The labor union's previous statement said it was assessing its role and said that the council had "yet to hold any real meeting."

Thea Lee, AFL-CIO

Lee, who worked as economist and deputy chief of staff at AFL-CIO, also stepped down from the council. She hasn't been employed by the labor group for several months. But she had continued to represent the group on the council.

Inge Thulin, 3M

Thulin stepped down from the council Wednesday. "I joined the Manufacturing Jobs Initiative in January to advocate for policies that align with our values and encourage even stronger investment and job growth – in order to make the United States stronger, healthier and more prosperous for all people," he said in a statement. "After careful consideration, I believe the initiative is no longer an effective vehicle for 3M to advance these goals."

"Sustainability, diversity and inclusion are my personal values and also fundamental to the 3M Vision. The past few months have provided me with an opportunity to reflect upon my commitment to these values," he said.

ON: 

Andrew Liveris, The Dow Chemical Co.

A spokesperson for Liveris said he will continue to contribute the council "if, and when asked to."

In an official statement he said:

"I condemn the violence this weekend in Charlottesville, Virginia, and my thoughts and prayers are with those who lost loved ones and with the people of Virginia. In Dow, there is no room for hatred, racism, or bigotry. Dow will continue to work to strengthen the social and economic fabric of the communities where it operates – including supporting policies that help create employment opportunities in manufacturing and rebuild the American workforce."

Bill Brown, Harris Corp.

No comment.

Michael Dell, Dell 

A spokesperson for Dell confirmed he will stay on the council and released an official statement:

“While we would not comment on any member’s personal decision, there’s no change in Dell engaging with the Trump administration and governments around the world to share our perspective on policy issues that affect our company, our customers and our employees."

John Ferriola, Nucor Corp.

A spokesperson for Ferriola confirmed he will stay on the council and released an official statement:

“On behalf of John Ferriola, Chairman, CEO and President of Nucor Corporation: At Nucor, we condemn the violence that occurred this past weekend in Charlottesville and reject the hate, bigotry, and racism expressed at the demonstration. As North America’s largest steel producer, Nucor has engaged with several administrations to work on policies that help strengthen the U.S. manufacturing sector and provide opportunities for American workers. We believe a strong manufacturing sector is the backbone of a strong economy, and we will continue to serve as a member of the White House Manufacturing Jobs Initiative.”

Jeff Fettig, Whirlpool Corp.

A spokesperson for Fettig confirmed he will stay on the council and released an official statement:

“Whirlpool Corp. believes strongly in an open and inclusive culture that respects people of all races and backgrounds. Our company has long fostered an environment of acceptance and tolerance in the workplace. The company will continue on the Manufacturing Jobs Initiative to represent our industry, our 15,000 U.S. workers, and to provide input and advice on ways to create jobs and strengthen U.S. manufacturing competitiveness."

Jeff Immelt, General Electric

A spokesperson for Immelt confirmed he will stay on the council and released an official statement:

"GE has no tolerance for hate, bigotry or racism, and we strongly condemn the violent extremism in Charlottesville over the weekend. GE is a proudly inclusive company with employees who represent all religions, nationalities, sexual orientations and races. With more than 100,000 employees in the United States, it is important for GE to participate in the discussion on how to drive growth and productivity in the U.S., therefore, Jeff Immelt will remain on the Presidential Committee on American Manufacturing while he is the Chairman of GE."

Denise Morrison, Campbell Soup Co.

A spokesperson confirmed she will remain on the board and released an official statement:

"The reprehensible scenes of bigotry and hatred on display in Charlottesville over the weekend have no place in our society. Not simply because of the violence, but because the racist ideology at the center of the protests is wrong and must be condemned in no uncertain terms. Campbell has long held the belief that diversity and inclusion are critical to the success of our business and our culture. Our commitment to diversity and inclusion is unwavering, and we will remain active champions for these efforts. We believe it continues to be important for Campbell to have a voice and provide input on matters that will affect our industry, our company and our employees in support of growth. Therefore, Ms. Morrison will remain on the President’s Manufacturing Jobs Initiative.”

Mark Sutton, International Paper

A spokesperson confirmed Sutton will stay on the council and released an official statement:

"International Paper strongly condemns the violence that took place in Charlottesville over the weekend - there is no place for hatred, bigotry and racism in our society. We are a company that fosters an inclusive workforce where all employees are valued and treated with dignity and respect. Through our participation on the Manufacturing Jobs Council, we will work to strengthen the social and economic fabric of communities across the country by creating employment opportunities in manufacturing."

Alex Gorsky, Johnson & Johnson

A spokesperson confirmed that Gorsk will stay on the council and released an official statement from Gorsky: 

"Several members have made the decision to leave President Trump's White House Manufacturing Advisory Council, and I respect their decision as a matter of personal conscience. Given the events of the past few day, I can understand the concern — even the fear — that some people have expressed. These are difficult days for everyone. In the end, I have concluded that Johnson & Johnson has a responsibility to remain engaged, not as a way to support any specific political agenda, but as a way to represent the values of Our Credo as crucial public policy is discussed and developed." 

Dennis Muilenburg, Boeing Co. 

Muilenburg plans to remain on the manufacturing council. "Staying engaged with business leaders and policy makers on the council is important to make progress on manufacturing issues important to our company and the country," the company said in a statement.

Greg Hayes, United Technologies Corp.

No comment. 

Marillyn Hewson, Lockheed Martin Corp.

No comment.  

Jim Kamsickas, Dana Inc.

No comment. 

Rich Kyle, The Timken Co.

No comment. 

Michael Polk, Newell Brands

No comment.

Wendell Weeks, Corning

No comment.

Doug Oberhelman, former CEO of Caterpillar

No comment. He retired in March. 

Klaus Kleinfeld, former CEO of Arconic

No comment. Kleinfeld stepped down as the company's CEO in April. Arconic is no longer a member of the council.