NGA Reverses Course, Extends White House Meeting Invitations to All Governors
The National Governors Association (NGA) announced a reversal of an earlier decision regarding its annual White House business meeting, confirming that invitations have been extended to all governors for the event. This development followed initial reports that the White House intended to invite only Republican governors to a planned meeting and excluded specific Democratic governors from a separate dinner, leading to widespread criticism and a unified response from Democratic governors and the NGA.
Initial Invitation Policy and NGA Response
President Donald Trump was initially scheduled to host an annual meeting with governors in Washington D.C. Sources indicated that this meeting, traditionally bipartisan, would be limited to Republican governors. The National Governors Association (NGA) confirmed this departure from a long-standing tradition.
Brandon Tatum, acting Executive Director and CEO of the NGA, expressed disappointment, stating that the decision undermined federal-state collaboration.
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, a Republican who chairs the NGA, informed fellow governors in a letter that the White House planned to limit invitations for the NGA's annual business meeting, scheduled for February 20, to Republican governors only. Citing its mission to represent all 55 state and territory governors, the NGA stated it would no longer facilitate that particular event and removed it from its official program.
Exclusions from White House Dinner and Administration's Stance
Separately, President Trump had planned a bipartisan dinner for governors and their spouses at the White House. However, Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, both Democrats, were not invited to this dinner. President Trump had previously engaged with Governor Polis regarding the release of Tina Peters, who was convicted on state charges related to voting system tampering.
Governor Moore, who serves as the NGA vice chair, commented that his exclusion "carries an added weight."
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the President's actions:
"These are White House events and the President can invite whomever he wants."
She added that the White House had been coordinating meetings with the President, cabinet secretaries, and Democratic governors for more than a week, and Democrats were invited to the dinner.
Governors' Reactions and NGA Stance
Following the initial invitation policy, eighteen Democratic governors indicated their intention to boycott a traditional White House dinner if invitations were not extended to all governors.
Kentucky's Democratic Gov. Andy Beshear criticized the decision to exclude Democratic governors from the annual meeting and Governors Moore and Polis from the dinner, stating he would not attend the bipartisan dinner in solidarity.
The National Governors Association committed to not recognizing any event not inclusive of all governors as an official NGA event. Governor Stitt encouraged governors to focus on common goals despite the situation.
Reversal for NGA Business Meeting
On Wednesday, the National Governors Association announced that the traditionally bipartisan meeting at the White House for its members was reinstated, with invitations extended to all 55 state and territory governors.
Governor Stitt informed his fellow governors in a Wednesday letter that all members, including Democratic governors initially excluded from the NGA's business meeting, were now invited.
He cited a "misunderstanding in scheduling" for the earlier communication. President Trump confirmed his intention to host all 55 governors at the NGA Business Breakfast on Friday, February 20, emphasizing it as an NGA event. Both an NGA source and a White House spokesperson confirmed that all NGA members were invited to the Friday business meeting.
President Trump's Subsequent Remarks
Following the reinstatement of full invitations for the NGA business meeting, President Trump made comments on Truth Social. He criticized Governor Stitt for having "incorrectly stated my position" on the NGA meeting. Trump also specifically targeted Governors Moore and Polis.
He stated that invitations were sent to all governors "other than two, who I feel are not worthy of being there."
He referenced Governor Polis's opposition to his efforts to pardon Tina Peters and criticized Governor Moore regarding the rebuilding of the Francis Scott Key Bridge and the crime situation in Baltimore. In another post, Trump referred to Stitt:
...as a "very mediocre (at best!) RINO Governor of Oklahoma," noting previous disagreements on immigration enforcement.
Background on Prior Tensions
Partisan tensions have been observed at previous White House meetings with governors. At last year's meeting, an exchange occurred between President Trump and then-Maine Governor Janet Mills, a Democrat, regarding a policy on transgender athletes in girls' and women's sports. President Trump had indicated he would consider withholding federal funding from states that did not comply with his position.
To which Governor Mills responded, "We'll see you in court."
This interaction reportedly influenced the previous conference, with some Democratic governors subsequently choosing not to renew their NGA memberships.