“It is not our job to decide whether the president should be impeached and sentenced. As CEOs and leaders, this is how you get in trouble, ”said the chief executive of a large Wall Street bank, with the condition of not being identified. “What really bothers me is the erosion of civility in everything we do. We have so many serious things to do and we absolutely have to move on now. “
“We need to distribute vaccines,” added the CEO. “We need to reactivate the service economy. This is a huge distraction. “
These sentiments were echoed by others who cited the need for much faster delivery of the vaccine and the move to more stimulus efforts as paramount and suggested that yielding to a Senate trial after Biden’s oath next week could undermine efforts to fight the virus and boost the economy.
A senior executive at another global bank said that more at his company and across the business community “just wants the shouting to stop.”
“Everyone wants to get back to normal business,” he said. “We are just a few days away. Let’s just get there. I don’t think anyone is that interested in a Senate trial after Biden takes office. They want vaccines and stimuli. “
A prominent business group, the National Association of Manufacturers, last week suggested using the 25th Amendment to remove Trump – something Vice President Mike Pence has since said he opposes. Even privately, most executives echoed the words of the Business Roundtable, an important voice in Washington for the nation’s largest companies, which issued a statement contained on Wednesday regarding impeachment, while emphasizing the broader point about the insurrection of the Capitol.
“We let our elected leaders judge the feasibility or wisdom of trying to remove the president from office in the last days of his term,” says the statement, “but we believe in the president’s behavior – including encouraging an attack on the Capitol and trying to nullify the results of a legitimate democratic election – deserves the strongest possible condemnation. ”The group did not ask for any punishment.
The desire to simply turn the page and move on to the Biden government and focus on vaccines and stimuli – two hopes that have brought the stock market to record highs in recent weeks – is widespread.
Many executives, including those with Republican tendencies, have come to disdain Trump’s behavior and would like him to step down. But they do not want to take other measures that could alienate customers or prevent further involvement with Republicans, whose policies they generally support.
“There is no doubt that people want Trump to leave. But politics is just an eight-sided chess game in terms of impeachment and removal in which we have nothing to be involved in, ”said a leading banking lobbyist in Washington. “I’m not sure how or why business would be in the middle of it now.”
That person said that some executives and business groups were less concerned that a post-inaugural test would distract attention from the stimulus, but still fearful that it could undermine an already problematic effort to distribute the vaccine. “We haven’t had a functioning government for basically two years and certainly in the past six months,” said this person. “We need to have one now. We’re just counting the days. “
The desire of many companies to quietly withdraw from the political fray after issuing statements last week condemning the attacks and suspending campaign contributions – in some cases only for some Republicans and in others for both parties – is likely to anger some Democrats and anti- Trump Republicans demanding that corporate America step up and play a bigger role and openly advocate stronger action, including whether or not to remove the president through a trial.
“I find it extremely disappointing that finance leaders just want to close their eyes, turn their backs and walk away from what happened,” said economist Andrew Busch. “This is not what leaders do. They get involved, listen and seek the truth to help those in need. “
“Writing letters is good and I like that many have canceled their donations to politicians,” added Busch. “It’s a positive step, to be sure, but they need to stay active.”
Another Wall Street banker said in an e-mail that he was disappointed that his company and others did nothing more than stop contributions and make general statements of disapproval of the actions of Trump and his supporters.
“The main beneficiaries of the rule of law – those who are likely to earn more and live better lifestyles – don’t want to be bothered to publicly defend the rule of law?” this person said in an email. “What would their reaction be if a crowd, driven into frenzy for months and years by a demagogue, attacked a corporate headquarters … instead of a government building next time? I’m guessing it wouldn’t be on the ‘move on’ line. ”
Still, both right-wing and left-wing executives said in interviews that there was little use in going any further and that they would have to meet with Republicans as soon as the party could retake one or both houses of Congress in 2024 midterm elections.
“If history serves as a guide, the Republicans will take over the Chamber in 2022. We cannot disconnect. But we will have to be more selective, ”said the bank’s CEO. “Donald Trump has eroded civility with steroids, even if it was already happening. I don’t condone your crazy behavior. “