The head of America's largest labor union left Trump's council citing 'President who tolerates bigotry and domestic terrorism'
Mike Segar/Reuters
The AFL-CIO is the largest collection of labor unions in the US with more than 12 million members.
"We cannot sit on a council for a President who tolerates bigotry and domestic terrorism," Trumka said in a statement. "President Trump's remarks today repudiate his forced remarks yesterday about the KKK and neo-Nazis. We must resign on behalf of America's working people, who reject all notions of legitimacy of these bigoted groups."
After coming under fire for not condemning white nationalists and neo-Nazis in Charlottesville on Saturday - and only doing so after public pressure on Monday - he then blamed what he termed "alt-left" counter-protestors for the violence during a press conference on Tuesday.
Trumka becomes the fifth member of the manufacturing council to depart following Charlottesville following Merck CEO Kenneth Frazier, Under Armour CEO Kevin Plank, Intel CEO Brian Krzanich, and President of the Alliance for American Manufacturing Scott Paul.
Trumka and the AFL-CIO previously said on Monday night that they were "reassessing" their involvement in the council. Former AFL-CIO deputy chief of staff Thea Lee is also leaving the council, she left the AFL-CIO a few months ago.
Here is Trumka's full statement:
"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. We must resign on behalf of America's working people, who reject all notions of legitimacy of these bigoted groups.
It's clear that President Trump's Manufacturing Council was never an effective means for delivering real policy that lifts working families and his remarks today were the last straw. 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. From hollow councils to bad policy and embracing bigotry, the actions of this administration have consistently failed working people."
- US buys 81 Soviet-era combat aircraft from Russia's ally costing on average less than $20,000 each, report says
- 2 states where home prices are falling because there are too many houses and not enough buyers
- A couple accidentally shipped their cat in an Amazon return package. It arrived safely 6 days later, hundreds of miles away.
- Rupee declines 5 paise to 83.43 against US dollar in early trade
- Election Commission issues notification for sixth phase of Lok Sabha polls
- 6 Coffee recipes you should try this summer
- "To sit and talk in the box...!" Kohli's message to critics as RCB wrecks GT in IPL Match 45
- 7 Nutritious and flavourful tiffin ideas to pack for school