NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson said the organization did not extend an invitation to its national convention to President Donald Trump this year because it would be a waste of time, saying the administration does not respect the Constitution or the rule of law. (AP Photo/David Becker)AP
NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson recently announced that the historic civil rights organization has not invited President Donald Trump to its convention next month.
“We’re nonpartisan and always welcome those who believe in democracy and the constitution,” Johnson said in a statement on June 16. “But right now, it’s clear — Donald Trump is attacking our democracy and our civil rights. He believes more in the fascist playbook than in the U.S. Constitution. This playbook is radical and un-American.”
This move marks the first time that the NAACP —the nation’s oldest and largest civil rights organization—has not invited a sitting president to its convention, PBS.org reported.
The 116th National NAACP Convention from July 12-16 in Charlotte, North Carolina, according to a statement from the organization.
White House spokesperson Harrison Fields dismissed the matter, saying, “The NAACP isn’t advancing anything but hate and division, while the president is focused on uniting our country, improving our economy, securing our borders, and establishing peace across the globe. This is the same vision for America that a record number of Black Americans supported in the resounding reelection of President Trump.”
For the 2024 presidential election, 16% of Black Americans voted for Trump, while 83% of Black voters chose former Democratic Vice President Kamala Harris, AP News reported.
During his first term, Trump declined the NAACP’s previous invitations to attend the convention, NPR reported.
Throughout its 116-year history, the organization has hosted presidents from both political parties at its convention, ranging from the Democratic 33rd President Harry Truman to Republican 43rd President George W. Bush, according to a NAACP statement.
Truman became the first president to attend the national convention in 1947, PBS.org reported.
“The convention has always been a place where people across the country come together to map out our advocacy and mobilization strategies to advance civil rights and democracy for all,” Johnson said in a statement. “Our annual convention is meant to be a safe space for all people, regardless of political ideology, who believe in multiracial democracy and the ideal of building a more perfect union.”
He said the NAACP did not want to give Trump a platform to further his agenda.
“This administration does not respect the constitution or the rule of law,” Johnson added. “It would be a waste of our time and energy to give a platform to fascism, which would be unacceptable.”
This decision not to invite Trump to this year’s convention comes after the NAACP filed several lawsuits against the Trump administration in recent months, AP News reported.
In April, the NAACP filed a federal lawsuit against the Department of Education (DOE), alleging that its anti-DEI initiatives have limited equal educational opportunities for Black students, NJ.com reported.
The lawsuit is ongoing, AP News reported.
Stories by Vashti Harris
Mosaic staff writer Vashti Harris can be reached at vharris@njadvancemedia.com.
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