Why Have Business Leaders Gone Silent?

By Robert E. Rubin for The Wall Street Journal

Writing in the Wall Street Journal, Robert Rubin recalls that when he served as Director of the National Economic Council and Secretary of the Treasury, he received a range of views from business leaders. This makes it noteworthy and concerning, he says, that many business leaders are now silent as President Donald Trump asserts more control over the economy and undermines the constitutional system.

Rubin outlines actions by President Trump involving political retribution, foreign policy, immigration, the rule of law, tariffs, distrust of government data, and the independence of the Federal Reserve, among much else. He posits that many business leaders are concerned but refrain from publicly criticizing President Trump because of intimidation. Rubin urges executives to consider the threat and how they might respond, such as by advocating with policymakers, mitigating risks of coercion, and speaking out. He concludes by arguing that, although opposing authoritarianism is difficult, the consequences of allowing authoritarianism to continue are far worse.