The National Urban League has declared a “state of national emergency,” warning that civil rights and democratic progress in America are under direct threat from the policies of President Donald Trump.
In an interview with NPR’s Juana Summers, National Urban League President and CEO Marc Morial explained why the organization issued the urgent declaration in its latest annual State of Black America report—this year titled “State of Emergency: Democracy, Civil Rights and Progress Under Attack.”
“For more than 40 years, we’ve used this report to spotlight the deep inequities in American life—from economics and education to healthcare and criminal justice,” Morial said. “This year, we are witnessing an unprecedented rollback of civil rights gains made over the last seven decades.”
He cited voter suppression efforts, attacks on diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, and federal cuts to Medicaid, food assistance, veterans’ benefits, and public education as central concerns driving the organization’s emergency declaration.
Trump Targets DEI on Day One
President Trump’s crackdown on DEI began immediately after taking office for a second term. On Inauguration Day, he signed an executive order titled “Ending Radical and Wasteful Government DEI Programs and Preferencing,” aimed at eliminating federal support for DEI initiatives across agencies.
The administration has since announced $15 million in cuts to DEI-related contracts, framing the move as a shift toward what the White House calls a “system of merit.”
Morial warned that these actions signal a broader ideological push. “There’s a deliberate attempt to dismantle the mechanisms that enforce equal opportunity—whether it’s the EEOC, the Department of Education, or the Civil Rights Division of the DOJ,” he told NPR. “This is not just political. It’s an assault on the very idea of fairness, racial justice, and equal access in America.”
Urban League: Trying to ‘Slow Down’ the MAGA Agenda
Pressed by NPR about how this moment differs from prior resistance to DEI and civil rights progress, Morial argued that the scale and coordination of current policies are more dangerous than anything seen in recent decades.
“All these specific actions together represent a systematic attack on inclusion,” he said. “That’s why we’re not just calling this a political disagreement. It’s a national emergency.”
He also acknowledged that the Urban League is actively working to counter the broader Trump-aligned “Make America Great Again” movement.
“We’re doing everything possible to try to slow down this movement, and it is a movement,” Morial said. “It uses public policy as a weapon against equal opportunity.”
Outreach Ignored by GOP, Trump Officials
The National Urban League said it has attempted to open dialogue with Trump administration officials and Republican congressional leaders—without success.
“We reached out to the GOP House and Senate leadership, as well as key Trump cabinet officers,” Morial told Fox News Digital. “We haven’t received any responses.”
Despite the lack of communication, Morial emphasized that the organization will continue to fight back—through legal challenges, civic engagement, and public advocacy. “We’re standing firm,” he said, “because the stakes are simply too high to remain silent.”
