NAACP Condemns Trump's Call to 'Nationalize' Elections

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

February 3, 2025

Contact: Chyna Fields, [email protected]

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- The NAACP condemns in the strongest possible terms President Donald Trump's outrageous and dangerous rhetoric suggesting the federal government should "nationalize" elections. This is a desperate attempt to continue to weaken and ultimately destroy the very foundations of our democracy.

Such statements are not only reckless, they are a blatant assault on the Constitution and a continuation of the same anti-democratic playbook that has fueled voter suppression, election sabotage, and authoritarian extremism across the country.

"This serves as yet another reminder that the Trump Administration is only looking to exhaust our nation with these deplorable and unconstitutional antics in hopes that we will grow tired and concede," said NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson. "Unfortunate for them, we are wide awake, and we will never surrender something our people fought, bled, and died for. We've taken Trump to court before - and we've won, even in the Supreme Court. If necessary, we'll take him to court again, and we'll win again."

For generations, Black Americans and our allies have stood on the front lines of the struggle for voting rights, fair representation, and true democracy. Any effort to seize or manipulate the electoral process for political gain is an affront to those sacrifices and an insult to every voter in this nation.

Let there be no confusion: the NAACP is prepared to take any and all legal actions necessary to ensure that our democracy remains where it has always belonged - with we the people.

We will not be intimidated. We will not be distracted. And we will not allow anyone, no matter how powerful, to dismantle the democratic rights that generations before us secured at so great a cost.

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About NAACP

The NAACP advocates, agitates, and litigates for the civil rights due to Black America. Our legacy is built on the foundation of grassroots activism by the biggest civil rights pioneers of the 20th century and is sustained by 21st century activists. From classrooms and courtrooms to city halls and Congress, our network of members across the country works to secure the social and political power that will end race-based discrimination. That work is rooted in racial equity, civic engagement, and supportive policies and institutions for all marginalized people. We are committed to a world without racism where Black people enjoy equitable opportunities in thriving communities.

NOTE: The Legal Defense Fund - also referred to as the NAACP-LDF - was founded in 1940 as a part of the NAACP, but now operates as a completely separate entity.