As a mob supporting President Donald Trump stormed into the U.S. Capitol on Jan. 6, many business leaders responded through news releases and social media.
The National Association of Manufacturers drew the most attention as CEO and President Jay Timmons issued an emailed statement referring to the mob as "armed thugs" and the refusal to accept the election results as a "disgusting episode." He also encouraged lawmakers to "invoke the 25th Amendment to preserve democracy."
“This is not the vision of America that manufacturers believe in and work so hard to defend," he wrote.
Dow Inc. CEO Jim Fitterling, who is also vice chair of NAM, said on Twitter: "Today's scenes at the U.S. Capitol are an attack on democracy and not who we are as a country. Before all else, we are Americans. The challenges we face require us to come together, urgently."
Top executives from other global companies — among them General Motors CEO Mary Barra, Ford Motor Co. CEO Jim Farley and Ford Chairman Bill Ford — also responded with statements condemning the actions.
But responses also have come from the leaders of smaller companies.
"Normally, I'd tell you that one-party control of the executive branch and both legislative chambers is really bad news," Bob Confer, president of blow molder Confer Plastics Inc., said on Twitter. "But today, with this craziness happening in Washington, I'll tell you the GOP is getting what it deserves and the country is getting what it needs."