White House Meeting Controversy Prompts NGA to Recalibrate Annual Events
The National Governors Association (NGA) significantly altered its plans for an annual White House meeting and dinner following reports that President Donald Trump's administration intended to exclude Democratic governors from a business meeting and specifically two Democratic governors from a traditional dinner. Ultimately, the NGA decided it would not formally facilitate the events, even after later invitations were extended to all governors for a working session. The situation triggered widespread responses from governors, the White House, and President Trump himself, raising questions about bipartisanship and federal-state engagement protocols.
Initial Exclusions and NGA Response
The controversy ignited when initial reports indicated a stark departure from tradition: the White House planned to host an annual business meeting exclusively for Republican governors on February 20. Adding to the tension, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, a Democrat and NGA Vice Chair, and Colorado Governor Jared Polis, also a Democrat, were reportedly not invited to a separate bipartisan dinner intended for governors and their spouses.
Brandon Tatum, the NGA's acting Executive Director and CEO, expressed disappointment, stating that the decision undermined an important opportunity for federal-state collaboration and made the occasion partisan.
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, a Republican and NGA Chair, quickly communicated to his fellow governors that the NGA, whose mission is to represent all 55 governors from states and territories, would not facilitate an event limited to one party. Consequently, the NGA removed the White House business meeting from its official program.
In response to the reported exclusions, a group of Democratic governors indicated they would boycott any White House events if invitations were not extended to all governors. Kentucky's Democratic Governor Andy Beshear specifically stated he would not attend the bipartisan dinner in solidarity with Governors Moore and Polis.
White House Stance and Presidential Criticism
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the administration's initial actions, asserting that White House events are at the President's discretion, and he holds the right to invite whomever he chooses. She also stated that the White House had been coordinating meetings with the President, cabinet secretaries, and Democratic governors for over a week, and Democrats were, in fact, invited to the dinner.
President Trump later used Truth Social to criticize Governors Moore and Polis, stating they were "not worthy of being there."
He specifically cited Polis's opposition to efforts to pardon Tina Peters, who was convicted on state charges related to voting system tampering, and criticized Moore regarding the rebuilding of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and the crime situation in Baltimore.
Reversal of Invitation Policy and Continued Dispute
Mid-week, a shift occurred. Governor Stitt informed fellow governors that a "misunderstanding in scheduling" had been addressed, and President Trump confirmed his intention to host all 55 state and territory governors at the NGA Business Breakfast on February 20. White House spokespersons also confirmed that all NGA members were invited to the Friday business meeting.
However, the dispute was far from over. President Trump then posted again on Truth Social, reiterating his criticism of Governors Moore and Polis, stating invitations were sent to all governors "other than two, who I feel are not worthy of being there." He also sharply criticized Governor Stitt, referring to him as a "very mediocre (at best!) RINO Governor of Oklahoma" and accusing him of "incorrectly stated my position." Governor Stitt's spokesperson responded that Stitt had received his invitation and looked forward to other governors receiving theirs.
Following the extension of invitations for the business meeting, Governor Moore was indeed invited to attend. Despite this, some Democratic governors, such as Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey, still chose not to attend the traditional White House dinner.
NGA's Final Position and Broader Context
Despite the extension of invitations for the business meeting, the NGA maintained its decision not to formally facilitate the event or recognize the dinner as an official NGA occasion due to the initial controversy. The NGA typically operates as a crucial bipartisan platform for governors to discuss pressing national issues.
Earlier in the NGA events in Washington, Governors Moore and Stitt had presented a notably bipartisan front. Governors offered varied perspectives on the contentious situation; Governor Polis noted he continues to meet with governors from both parties, while Governor Moore stated he had "no desire to have beef with the president."
Republican Governor Spencer Cox of Utah commented that President Trump's aim as president is not to unify the country, and former Maryland Governor Larry Hogan, a Republican, called the exclusion of governors a "mistake," emphasizing the historical value of bringing all governors together.
Broader discussions at the NGA gathering also included potential presidential candidacies for 2028 and concerns about the administration's power and the critical role of states as a check on the executive branch.
The Friday working event for governors was reportedly shortened following a Supreme Court decision to invalidate President Trump's tariff policy. Some Democratic governors who attended the Friday meeting, including Governor Moore and New York Governor Kathy Hochul, described it as productive.