FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 27, 2025
Contact: communications@naacpnet.org
WASHINGTON – The NAACP, the Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, and a coalition of civic and policy organizations released a joint letter condemning President Trump’s attempt to dismiss and demean Federal Reserve Board Governor Dr. Lisa D. Cook.
The groups call on policymakers, civic leaders, and the public to reject this dangerous attempt to threaten the independence of the Federal Reserve and to stand against blatant discriminatory and unwarranted attacks on Black people who are in positions of leadership.
NAACP President and CEO Derrick Johnson released the following statement:
“Trump is obsessed with using race to conceal his failures. First, he questioned Barack Obama’s citizenship. Next, he demeaned public officials like Rep. Maxine Waters, Vice President Kamala Harris, and AG Letitia James, who governed effectively and exposed his corruption.
“Now, he wants to fire Dr. Lisa Cook from the Federal Reserve simply because she is a brilliant Black woman shaping economic policy at the highest level and revealing the faults in his failed economic strategy. Let’s be real: this is not about qualifications. Dr. Cook’s credentials outshine Trump’s entire cabinet.
“This president simply cannot stomach Black excellence when it reveals his failures, particularly those in positions of power. In reality, this is about bending the Federal Reserve to Trump’s will, and he’s using racism as a tool to do it.”
Civic and policy organizations that have signed on to the letter also include:
- Institute for Women’s Policy Research
- Lawyers’ Committee for Civil Rights Under Law
- Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
- National Action Network
- National Coalition on Black Civic Participation/Black Women’s Roundtable
- National Council of Negro Women
- National Fair Housing Alliance
- National Urban League
For more information on how the NAACP is fighting to advance Black America, visit naacp.org.