Insurance Leaders Condemn Violence by Trump Rioters Who Stormed Capitol
Several insurance industry leaders have joined others in the U.S. business community in condemning the violent rioters who stormed the Capitol yesterday in support of President Donald Trump.
The protesters damaged the federal property and interrupted legislative proceedings on the certification of the Electoral College results making Joe Biden as the next president.
Among those speaking out are Evan G. Greenberg, chairman and chief executive officer of Chubb; Bob Rusbuldt, president and chief executive officer of the Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of America (Big “I”); David A. Sampson, CEO, American Property Casualty Insurance Association and Alan Schnitzer, CEO, The Travelers.
Chubb’s Greenberg’s took aim at the false claims of election fraud as well as at the violence. His statement said:
“As citizens of our great nation, all of us have a responsibility to speak out against and condemn in the strongest terms the violence and display of demagoguery we witnessed in our nation’s capital yesterday. This is not who we are as a nation and our democracy must be protected. Whether one likes the results of our election or not, the citizens of our country have spoken. Our election process as reaffirmed by our courts and government agencies was fair and lawful. We look to all of our elected leaders from both parties to set an example by their respect and active support for the orderly transfer of power and their condemnation of false claims of election fraud. The confirmation of the electoral results last night by Congress was a powerful affirmation of our democracy. We should all hope for a new era of respect and decency as we meet the many common challenges facing our nation.”
The Big “I”‘s Rusbuldt tied his statement to the mission of insurance agents of protecting people and property:
“The top priority of independent insurance agents and brokers is and has always been keeping people and property safe and protected. Yesterday’s violence at the U.S. Capitol was appalling and inexcusable. The Big ‘I’ strongly condemns those who endangered lives and desecrated this powerful symbol of our democracy. We will continue to advocate for safety and security for all Americans and for adhering to the United States Constitution, as our country moves forward after this disturbing incident.”
The APCIA condemned the assault in a press release.
“Insurers support the peaceful transition of power,” stated President and Chief Executive Officer David A. Sampson. “We are in the business of protecting American families, businesses, individuals, communities, and the larger economy. The actions taking place in Washington, D.C. today threaten the very pillars of our country.”
Alan Schnitzer, CEO, The Travelers issued a series of Tweets:
“A hallmark of our democracy is the peaceful transition of power. The attack on the United States Capitol was a shameful assault on that most sacred principle. In America, we settle our political disagreements with ballots, not with violence. We must never bend to those who traffic in fear and chaos. Let us come together to reaffirm our commitment to our democracy.”
These latest statements from business leaders come days after a group of 200 New York corporate executives signed in a letter urging members of Congress to certify the election of Joe Biden as President without delay this week and support a smooth transition of power.
“Our duly elected leaders deserve the respect and bipartisan support of all Americans at a moment when we are dealing with the worst health and economic crises in modern history. There should be no further delay in the orderly transfer of power,” the letter stated in part.
Among the insurance industry signers of the letter were CEOs from AIG, Marsh & McLennan, MetLife, Equitable, Guardian, Swiss Re and Travelers.
In addition, one business group went further with its appeal. The National Association of Manufacturers urged Vice President Mike Pence to invoke the 25th amendment allowing for him to assume the presidency when a president is unable to fulfill his duties.
“This is not the vision of America that manufacturers believe in and work so hard to defend,” Jay Timmons, the group’s president, said in a statement. “Across America today, millions of manufacturing workers are helping our nation fight the deadly pandemic that has already taken hundreds of thousands of lives. We are trying to rebuild an economy and save and rebuild lives. But none of that will matter if our leaders refuse to fend off this attack on America and our democracy.”
Top Photo: Trump supporters walk past the Dome of the Capitol Building in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 6, 2021. (AP Photo/Andrew Harnik)