National Governors Association Cancels White House Meeting Following Exclusion of Democratic Governors
The National Governors Association (NGA) has officially cancelled a planned meeting with US President Donald Trump later this month. This decision came after the White House deliberately excluded Democratic governors from the invitation list, according to a source cited by Reuters. The announcement was conveyed to members on Monday by NGA Chairman Kevin Stitt, who is the Republican Governor of Oklahoma.
Breach of Longstanding Bipartisan Tradition
Governors from across the United States gather annually in Washington, D.C., for the NGA's winter meeting. A key tradition of this gathering is for the President to host all governors at the White House. This event typically includes a session with Cabinet secretaries and other senior officials, followed by a formal black-tie dinner for the governors and their spouses. The White House meeting was scheduled for February 20 as part of the association's broader winter gathering agenda.
The NGA's leadership structure is intentionally bipartisan, consisting of nine members. This includes Chairman Kevin Stitt, a Republican, and Vice Chairman Wes Moore, the Democratic Governor of Maryland. The exclusion of Democratic members from the White House invitation directly contradicts the association's foundational principles of non-partisan cooperation.
Strong Condemnation from Association Leadership
Brandon Tatum, the CEO of the bipartisan National Governors Association, issued a firm statement condemning the White House's actions. "To disinvite individual governors to the White House sessions undermines an important opportunity for federal-state collaboration," Tatum stated. He emphasized that "at this moment in our nation’s history, it is critical that institutions continue to stand for unity, dignity and constructive engagement."
The New York Times reported last week that President Trump still intended to host a separate, bipartisan dinner for governors and their spouses at the White House. However, the newspaper revealed that Trump personally intervened to block invitations for Democratic Governors Wes Moore of Maryland and Jared Polis of Colorado. Governor Polis is also an active member of the NGA's leadership.
Response from Excluded Governors
David Turner, a spokesperson for Maryland Governor Wes Moore, expressed deep disappointment over the White House's decision. "The National Governors Association has a long tradition of bipartisan gatherings to trade best practices and ideas, regardless of party affiliation. It's what Americans expect and deserve and unfortunately, the White House does not seem to feel the same," Turner remarked.
The cancellation of this high-profile meeting highlights significant tensions in federal-state relations and raises questions about the commitment to bipartisan dialogue at the highest levels of government. The NGA's decision underscores its stance that inclusive participation is non-negotiable for maintaining effective governance and collaborative problem-solving between state and federal authorities.
