Anger, dismay as business figures react to Capitol riot

The president and CEO of Huntington Ingalls Industries, usually reluctant to dive into political controversy, spoke out in anger and distress over the attack on the Capitol meant to overturn the results of the presidential election.

Calling the rampage “despicable,” Mike Petters said he watched images of the riot with feelings of shock, dismay and disbelief. Petters’ comments on political matters typically have been limited to circumspect discussion of shipbuilding policy, and generally express the company’s intent to continue to work closely with the Navy.

“At Huntington Ingalls Industries, we work day in and day out to help protect and preserve our nation’s freedom and freedom around the globe ... What we witnessed yesterday was a serious breach of those fundamentals and an effort to inflict chaos and violence upon a time-honored democratic process,” he wrote in a letter to the Newport News-based company’s more than 42,000 worldwide employees.

“The hard stuff that you do right every day is wrapped in the American flag and meant to uphold, not only the values of our company, but the values of our country,” he said.

With the statement, the company joined a number of business and trade groups in condemning Wednesday’s attack. The president and CEO of the National Association of Manufacturers, for example, said Vice President Mike Pence and the Cabinet should seriously consider invoking the Constitution’s 25th amendment to remove President Trump from office.

Calling the rampage “despicable,” Mike Petters said he watched images of the riot with feelings of shock, dismay and disbelief.

STEVE EARLEY/STAFF Mike Petters, president and chief executive officer of Huntington Ingalls Industries, usually avoids political commentary but labeled the riot at the Capitol“despicable.”