Three CEOs resign from Trump's American Manufacturing Council

Three CEOs -- Merck & Co.'s Kenneth Frazier, Under Armour Inc.'s Kevin Plank and Intel Corp.'s Brian Krzanich have resigned from U.S. President Donald Trump's American Manufacturing Council following Trump's response to the racially-charged weekend violence at a rally of white supremacists in Charlottesville, Virginia.

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 statement, Local media reported.

"I resigned because I want to make progress, while many in Washington seem more concerned with attacking anyone who disagrees with them," he said. "We should honor - not attack - those who have stood up for equality and other cherished American values."

Kevin Plank,the chief executive of Under Armour Inc.'s issued a more vague statement about his decision.

"I am appreciative of the opportunity to have served, but have decided to step down from the council," Plank said. "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."

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," a New York daily quoted Plank, as saying.

"We remain resolute in our potential and ability to improve American manufacturing. However, Under Armour engages in innovation and sports, not politics," he added.

Frazier cited Trump's passive and delayed response in denouncing the hate groups responsible for the Virginia violence as the basis of his resignation.

"I feel a responsibility to take a stand against intolerance and extremism," Frazier said.

Trump received widespread criticism for failing to specifically rebuke white nationalists for violent protests in Charlottesville, Virginia.

"We condemn in the strongest possible terms this egregious display of hatred, bigotry and violence on many sides," Trump said during a short statement, adding that he had been closely following terrible events unfolding in Virginia.

Mentioning that the current unfolding of events in Virginia is not linked to his presidency, Trump said, "It has been going on for a long time in our country -- not Donald Trump, not Barack Obama. It has been going on for a long, long time. It has no place in America."

-ANI