Following the shooting of Alex Pretti by federal agents in Minneapolis, some corporate leaders are advocating for the de-escalation of tensions. A recent CNBC poll revealed that a majority of CEOs and other executives remain silent on the matter, with only one of the 34 leaders surveyed stating that their organization had issued a public statement.
The survey indicates that 33% of executives believe the events are not relevant to their business. Among those who have not commented, some cited a lack of opposition to ICE’s actions, concerns about potential backlash from the Trump administration, or internal policies against discussing political issues. Nearly one-quarter of respondents were uncertain about their reasons for silence.
A letter signed by the CEOs of 60 major Minnesota companies, including Target and Best Buy, called for immediate de-escalation in response to the recent violence. Apple CEO Tim Cook addressed employees, expressing heartbreak over the situation and advocating for a reduction of tensions. OpenAI CEO Sam Altman also criticized ICE’s actions in an internal message.
Experts note that corporate responses have evolved since the protests following George Floyd’s death in 2020. Executives are now more cautious, with many perceiving it as riskier to speak out on social issues. Over half of survey respondents indicated that it is significantly more challenging to comment on such matters now than in the past.
Leadership consultants recommend that executives focus on issues within their control, emphasizing employee safety and well-being rather than reactive statements that may lack operational impact.
With over 70% of the surveyed leaders having business ties in Minnesota, the corporate climate is under scrutiny as many leaders weigh their options in the wake of significant social unrest.
Source: Reported based on publicly available information from www.cnbc.com.
