Here are three things to know.
1. Mr. Frazier’s resignation follows a white nationalist gathering in Charlottesville, Va., Aug. 12., during which one person was killed and dozens wounded after a car crashed into a group of counter-protesters, Reuters reports. Two Virginia state troopers were also killed when their helicopter crashed near Charlottesville. President Donald Trump originally responded to the event stating “many sides” were involved. The remark sparked widespread criticism for not explicitly denouncing the far-right groups involved.
2. In his resignation announcement, Mr. Frazier said, “America’s leaders must honor our fundamental values by clearly rejecting expressions of hatred, bigotry and group supremacy.” He added, “As CEO of Merck and as a matter of personal conscience, I feel responsibility to take a stand against intolerance and extremism.”
3. Mr. Trump responded to Mr. Frazier’s resignation in a tweet, writing, “Now that Ken Frazier of Merck Pharma has resigned from President’s Manufacturing Council, he will have more time to LOWER RIPOFF DRUG PRICES!”
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