[The Hill] An African-American CEO of a major pharmaceutical company has resigned from a presidential council in a direct response to President Trump's remarks about "many sides" being to blame for violence over the weekend in Charlottesville.Merck CEO and Chairman Kenneth C. Frazier said he was leaving Trump's American Manufacturing Council, arguing U.S. leaders must "clearly reject expressions of hatred, bigotry and group supremacy."
"Our country's strength stems from its diversity and the contributions made by men and women of different faiths, races, sexual orientations and political beliefs," Frazier said in a statement.
"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," he continued.
"As CEO of Merck, and as a matter of personal conscience, I feel a responsibility to take a stand against intolerance and extremism."