Instant Alert: Starbucks had the perfect response to Trump supporters protesting the chain's plan to hire refugees instead of veterans

MANAGE SUBSCRIPTIONS   |   UNSUBSCRIBE   |   VIEW ONLINE   Starbucks had the perfect response to Trump supporters protesting the chain's plan to hire refugees instead of veterans by Kate Taylor on Jan 31, 2017, 11:21 AM Advertisement When Starbucks announced its plan to hire 10,000 refugees in the next five years, some customers threatened to boycott the chain. Those who opposed Starbucks' plan, which the company announced in a letter opposing President Trump's executive order barring people from seven majority-Muslim countries from entering the US, claimed that the company failed to provide similar support for veterans.  "Instead of hiring 10,000 AMERICAN VETERANS, #Starbucks has decided to hire 10,000 'refugees,'" wrote Twitter user The Trump Train. "Calling on all Americans to #BoycottStarbucks!" Instead of hiring 10,000 AMERICAN VETERANS, #Starbucks has decided to hire 10,000 'refugees'. Calling on all Americans to #BoycottStarbucks! — The Trump Train (@The_Trump_Train) January 30, 2017 Many others echoed the sentiment, including a number of conservative and pro-Trump accounts that were furious that Starbucks wasn't hiring veterans.  In fact, Starbucks pledged to do exactly that four years ago.  In 2013, the coffee giant announced a commitment to hire 10,000 veterans by the end of 2018 — in essence, the exact same commitment that CEO Howard Schultz made on Sunday to refugees. So far, the company says it has hired more than 8,000 veterans and military spouses. This program, which pre-dates the refugee plan, gave Starbucks the ideal response in a number of Twitter exchanges on Monday. Scott Baio, an actor and outspoken Trump supporter, asked the chain why it wasn't focusing on hiring "unemployed Blacks, Hispanics, & Veterans." Dear @Starbucks, why not hire unemployed Blacks, Hispanics, & Veterans? I'm genuinely interested in your reply. https://t.co/eL84mcDE4R — Scott Baio (@ScottBaio) January 30, 2017  The coffee giant responded with links to a company press release on its recent work to open stores in low-income, diverse communities and a website on its veteran outreach.  While Starbucks was flooded with threats of boycott on Monday, many others took the opportunity to support Schultz's opposition to the immigration ban and support for refugees.  #Starbucks plans to hire 10,000 refugees #buyStarbucks https://t.co/IG6QIjp9Pj — Jessica Chastain (@jes_chastain) January 30, 2017 Hi yes can I get a salted caramel mocha with an extra shot of conservative tears? #buystarbucks #boycottstarbucks — Graceful™ (@grace_sergott) January 30, 2017 Thanks, @Starbucks, for supporting refugees-and humoring me when I said my name was "The Resistance." #BuyStarbucks pic.twitter.com/gkq35Tabtp — Candy Kirby (@candykirby) January 30, 2017 Schultz has long been vocal regarding his political beliefs as CEO of Starbucks. He endorsed Democrat Hillary Clinton for president in September, and reportedly would have been Clinton's pick for secretary of labor if she won the election. "We are living in an unprecedented time, one in which we are witness to the conscience of our country, and the promise of the American Dream, being called into question," Schultz wrote in a letter to Starbucks employees announcing the plan on Sunday.  SEE ALSO: People are boycotting Starbucks after CEO announces plan to hire thousands of refugees   Share the latest business news with your network:    Email sent to:   |   Manage your email preferences   |   Unsubscribe Terms of Service   |   Privacy Policy Business Insider. 150 Fifth Avenue, New York, NY 10011