NAACP excludes Trump from national convention for first time in 116 years

In a significant shift from its longstanding tradition, the NAACP announced on June 16, 2020, that it would not extend an invitation to President Donald Trump for its upcoming national convention in Charlotte, North Carolina. This decision marks the first occasion in 116 years that the esteemed civil rights organization has opted to exclude a sitting president. Derrick Johnson, the President and CEO of the NAACP, stated that this decision is rooted in principles, citing Trump’s direct threats to civil rights and democracy as the rationale behind the move. Johnson emphasized that the organization has historically invited presidents from both major political parties to address their conventions, even those with whom they had significant disagreements. For instance, during the tenure of Republican George W. Bush, the NAACP invited him to speak at their convention despite the widespread criticism he faced for the federal response to Hurricane Katrina, which adversely affected Black residents in the Gulf Coast region. The NAACP's leadership underscored that the motives behind their decision to invite or exclude a president have traditionally revolved around the commitment to civil rights rather than strict party affiliations. The NAACP's announcement coincided with a period marked by heightened scrutiny of Trump's actions and policies as they relate to civil rights. The organization has filed multiple lawsuits against Trump's administration, including a lawsuit aimed at preventing the Department of Education from cutting federal funding to schools that maintain diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives. Johnson pointed out that such actions undermine the goal of providing equal opportunities for Black students and highlighted Trump's history of signing executive orders that threaten civil rights. In a statement regarding the NAACP’s decision, Johnson asserted, "Our mission is to advance civil rights, and the current president has made it clear that his mission is to eliminate civil rights.” The NAACP's choice to not invite Trump also reflects a broader political context, notably as the organization noted Trump’s notable gains among Black voters in the 2024 election cycle. The group indicated that the decision was a weighty one, given the NAACP's history of engaging even with those presidents whose policies have been controversial. Johnson articulated the perspective that providing a platform to Trump would waste their time and energy, stating that it goes against the principles of democracy and civil rights upheld by the organization.