The ATC‘s executive board stood behind Holmes in the beginning, but surrendered to the growing pressure after officials from both Turkey and the U.S. snubbed the council‘s annual congress this month, leading to Holmes announcing his resignation on June 1, along with Buyukustun and Sumer. Top figures such as U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and U.S. Army Chief of Staff Martin Dempsey had attended the ATC‘s congress in previous years, while this year the highest level officials present at the event were the White House‘s Trade Representative and the Turkish Foreign Ministry deputy undersecretary.