National Governors Association cancels formal White House meeting after partisan invitation sparks bipartisan backlash

The National Governors Association will not hold a formal meeting with President Donald Trump after the White House decided to invite only Republican governors to the annual gathering. This unprecedented move breaks a decades-long bipartisan tradition and has sparked criticism from both sides of the political aisle.

Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, a Republican who chairs the NGA, informed fellow governors that the association’s mission is to represent all 55 governors and cannot facilitate a partisan event. The decision marks a significant departure from the collaborative spirit that has historically defined federal-state relations.

What Happened to the Governors Meeting?

According to multiple news sources, the White House planned to limit invitations to the NGA’s annual business meeting, scheduled for February 20, to Republican governors only. This prompted the National Governors Association to remove the Trump meeting from its official program entirely.

In a letter obtained by The Associated Press, Governor Stitt wrote: “Because NGA’s mission is to represent all 55 governors, the Association is no longer serving as the facilitator for that event, and it is no longer included in our official program.”

The NGA’s winter meeting in Washington, scheduled for February 19-21, will proceed without Trump as part of its official agenda. This represents a rare moment when the nation’s governors collectively pushed back against partisan politics.

Why This Matters for American Democracy

The National Governors Association has served as one of the few remaining venues where political leaders from both major parties gather to discuss critical issues facing their communities. These meetings have historically provided opportunities for:

• Federal-state collaboration on pressing policy issues
• Bipartisan problem-solving that transcends party lines
• Direct communication between governors and the president
• Unified responses to national emergencies and crises

Brandon Tatum, the NGA’s acting Executive Director and CEO, expressed disappointment in a statement: “The bipartisan White House governors meeting is an important tradition, and we are disappointed in the administration’s decision to make it a partisan occasion this year.”

Democratic Governors Also Excluded From Dinner

The partisan divide extended beyond the business meeting. According to ABC News, Trump planned a separate bipartisan dinner for governors and their spouses but excluded two Democratic governors from the guest list:

• Maryland Governor Wes Moore, who serves as vice chair of the NGA
• Colorado Governor Jared Polis

Neither governor received an explanation for being uninvited. Moore, the nation’s only Black governor, addressed the exclusion on social media, stating: “As the nation’s only Black governor, I can’t ignore that being singled out for exclusion from this bipartisan tradition carries an added weight — whether that was the intent or not.”

History of Tension Between Trump and Democratic Governors

This isn’t the first time partisan tensions have surfaced at NGA meetings. Last year’s gathering featured a heated exchange between Trump and then-Maine Governor Janet Mills over transgender athletes in sports.

Trump threatened to withhold federal funding from Maine unless Mills complied with his executive order. Mills responded firmly: “We’ll see you in court.” Trump then predicted Mills’ political career would be over, but she is now running for U.S. Senate.

That confrontation had lasting effects, with some Democratic governors choosing not to renew their NGA dues following the incident.

Governors Call for Unity Despite Division

In his letter to fellow governors, Kevin Stitt urged unity despite the divisive action:

“We cannot allow one divisive action to achieve its goal of dividing us. The solution is not to respond in kind, but to rise above and to remain focused on our shared duty to the people we serve.”

Stitt’s message emphasized that America’s governors have always been models of pragmatic leadership, especially when Washington becomes distracted by politics.

What Experts Say About Federal-State Relations

Political analysts note that excluding Democratic governors from White House meetings undermines critical opportunities for collaboration on issues that affect all Americans, regardless of party affiliation. These issues include:

• Disaster relief coordination during natural emergencies
• Public health responses to epidemics and pandemics
• Infrastructure funding for roads, bridges, and public works
• Education policy affecting millions of students
• Economic development strategies for job creation

According to PBS News, the governors group is one of the few remaining venues where political leaders from both major parties gather to discuss top issues facing their communities.

The Broader Implications

This partisan approach to governance raises important questions about the role of the presidency. Traditionally, American presidents have viewed themselves as leaders of the entire nation, not just their political party. By excluding Democratic governors, Trump signals a different approach—one that treats blue states and red states differently.

This isn’t just about symbolism. Federal funding decisions, disaster relief responses, and policy implementation all flow through state governments. When partisan politics interfere with these relationships, real people in real communities suffer the consequences.

What Happens Next?

The National Governors Association will continue with its scheduled winter meeting in Washington, focusing on the bipartisan work that has always defined the organization. Without the formal White House meeting, governors will have more time to focus on collaborative solutions to shared challenges.

Meanwhile, 18 Democratic governors announced they would boycott the traditional White House dinner, issuing a joint statement: “If the reports are true that not all governors are invited to these events, which have historically been productive and bipartisan opportunities for collaboration, we will not be attending the White House dinner this year.”

Why Bipartisanship Still Matters

In an era of intense political polarization, the work of governors often stands out as a model of practical problem-solving. Governors must deliver results for their constituents regardless of party affiliation. They face the same challenges—crumbling infrastructure, underfunded schools, healthcare access, and economic development—whether they govern red states or blue states.

The National Governors Association has historically provided a space where these leaders can learn from each other, share best practices, and present a united front to the federal government. Breaking this tradition doesn’t just hurt governors—it hurts the millions of Americans they serve.

The Path Forward

Governor Stitt’s call for unity offers a roadmap forward. Rather than responding to partisan division with more division, governors can demonstrate that pragmatic leadership still exists in American politics. They can show that collaboration across party lines isn’t just possible—it’s essential.

As citizens, we should demand this kind of leadership from all our elected officials. We should expect our president to meet with all governors, not just those from his party. We should insist that federal-state relations remain focused on serving the American people, not scoring political points.

The cancellation of the formal National Governors Association meeting with President Trump represents more than a scheduling change. It symbolizes a troubling trend toward partisan governance that undermines the collaborative spirit essential to American democracy.

While the White House has the right to invite whomever it chooses, excluding Democratic governors from a traditionally bipartisan event sends a clear message: some Americans matter more than others based on their political affiliation. This approach weakens federal-state relations and makes it harder to address the challenges facing our nation.

Governors from both parties have shown they’re willing to stand up for bipartisan collaboration. Now it’s up to citizens to demand the same from Washington.

What do you think about Trump’s decision to exclude Democratic governors? Should the president meet with all state leaders regardless of party? Share your thoughts in the comments below and let’s keep this important conversation going.