Sustainable Views · February 23, 2026
At a glance
- Corporate America has retreated from earlier commitments to defend democracy and climate policy, even as government actions test constitutional rights and environmental protections
- Claims of being “apolitical” ring hollow for companies that lobby, fund trade associations, and shape public policy behind the scenes
- Silence carries risks: reputational damage, employee backlash and exposure to economic instability in an increasingly authoritarian environment
Leaders who once spoke up for climate action and constitutional order now face questions of complicity
US companies face daily ethical dilemmas. Yet many are staying silent — or responding without moral clarity — to democratic backsliding, attacks on due process and the rule of law, and climate denialism.
A rapid about-face
As the executive director of a non-governmental organisation focused on corporate climate policy advocacy and the advancement of corporate political responsibility, I urge companies to use their influence to advance public policies that put communities, employees, stakeholders and the environment first.
In the not too distant past, trade organisations such as the Business Roundtable had moved in this direction, with the chief executives of nearly 200 companies releasing a statement on the purpose of a corporation. ‘We don’t do politics’ is simply not true, especially for companies that are members of trade associations, hire lobbyists and engage in lobbying, make political contributions, or engage in campaign spending.
Also in the not too distant past, many American companies were vocal in speaking up for democracy, with the US Chamber of Commerce Foundation releasing a statement in 2021 titled “Democracy needs business and business needs democracy”.
Hundreds of US companies pledged to pause political donations to election objectors after the January 6 attack on the US Capitol.
Some companies, particularly Big Tech, were also stepping up for climate leadership, setting ambitious climate targets and being vocal in their criticism of President Donald Trump’s first exit from the Paris Agreement.
These same companies are now largely silent, while new government policies undermine environmental protections, roll back climate rules, and cut clean energy funding.
Being apolitical is not a defence
Too many companies peddle the false narrative that they are “apolitical”, citing this as the primary reason for silence.
“We don’t do politics” is simply not true, especially for companies that are members of trade associations, hire lobbyists and engage in lobbying, make political contributions, or engage in campaign spending. The notion of corporate political responsibility is a reminder that businesses are indeed actively engaged in shaping regulations, policies and laws.
As the 2019 Business Roundtable purpose of a corporation statement harkened, businesses should have an obligation to ensure their political influence supports, rather than undermines, democratic institutions and overall societal wellbeing.
Policy decisions — and associated lobbying by trade groups and companies — have led us to the realities we now face.
Part of the problem
These days, far beyond being scrutinised for missing their emissions reduction targets, some tech companies are facing mounting scrutiny around the role of AI in helping ICE to seemingly automate authoritarianism.
Companies such as Amazon and Meta top the list of the 2025 Corporate Underminers of Democracy report, along with defence company Northrop Grumman, tech company Palantir, and asset manager Vanguard.
In today’s version of America, companies should be weighing carefully what role corporate political responsibility still has.
Too many companies are choosing the wrong side of history by remaining silent. Business leaders have an immediate opportunity to course-correct, transcend polarisation and make a principled stand that rises above taking sides
At risk is a post-responsibility era in which companies seek to place themselves above the law, serving only the very few and becoming singularly profit driven, focused on short-term gains at the expense of the many.
What if the most influential companies could align stated values with their lobbying and political activities?
This was the vision of ClimateVoice founder Bill Weihl, formerly director of sustainability at Facebook and Google’s green energy tsar, and who wrote: “I have ALS — so why is my voice louder on climate than powerful companies?”
The loss of our collective democratic voices should be front and centre in any consideration of the risks of inaction and silence. Efforts are seemingly under way in the US to silence dissent, stifle free speech, and punish opponents — all of which are classic textbook authoritarian practices.
With these threats come the increased risk of economic instability and unpredictability, and mounting employee and public backlash.
Too many companies are choosing the wrong side of history by remaining silent. Business leaders have an immediate opportunity to course-correct, transcend polarisation and make a principled stand that rises above taking sides.
They would do well to remember their commitments to shareholders, employees, customers and American communities. Silence is not the way.
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