President Donald Trump has excluded Democratic governors from a traditionally bipartisan White House meeting and dinner during the National Governors Association's annual gathering. The National Governors Association announced it will no longer facilitate the event, while 18 Democratic governors plan to boycott the dinner. The move has drawn criticism for undermining bipartisanship.
The National Governors Association (NGA) is scheduled to convene in Washington, D.C., from February 19 to 21, 2026, for its annual meeting. This gathering typically includes a bipartisan meeting with the president and a formal dinner at the White House, providing an opportunity for governors to discuss national issues. However, the Trump administration has invited only Republican governors to the February 20 business meeting and disinvited Democrats from the dinner that follows.
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, the Republican chair of the NGA, informed fellow governors in a letter on Monday that the White House intended to limit invitations to Republicans. "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," Stitt wrote. NGA CEO Brandon Tatum expressed disappointment, stating that the White House meeting is an "important tradition" and criticizing the decision to make it partisan.
In response, 18 Democratic governors announced on Tuesday that they would boycott the dinner. "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," they wrote. "Democratic governors remain united and will never stop fighting to protect and make life better for people in our states."
Maryland Governor Wes Moore, one of the disinvited Democrats, described the exclusion as a message of disrespect. "This message of disrespect — of his own personal feelings of supremacy — I think, are things that are just deeply unneeded reminders of just how unstable his leadership continues to be," Moore said in an NPR interview.
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the decision, saying, "It's the people's house. It's also the president's home, so he can invite whomever he wants to dinners and events here at the White House."
This year's tensions echo last year's conference, where Trump and Maine Governor Janet Mills exchanged barbs over transgender athletes in sports. Trump threatened to withhold federal funding from Maine, prompting Mills to reply, "We'll see you in court." Some Democratic governors did not renew their NGA dues following that event. Stitt urged unity in his letter: "We cannot allow one divisive action to achieve its goal of dividing us."
