Full Breakdown
Trump Excludes Democratic Governors from Annual NGA Meeting
2/11/2026, 12:53:40 AM
Exclusion from a Bipartisan Tradition
President Donald Trump has decided to exclude Democratic governors from the upcoming National Governors Association (NGA) winter meeting at the White House, marking a significant departure from the event's long-standing bipartisan tradition. The meeting, scheduled for February 19-21, 2026, will only include Republican governors, with Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Colorado Governor Jared Polis being specifically disinvited from the associated dinner. This decision has sparked widespread criticism from Democratic leaders and the NGA itself.
Official Statements & Responses
Brandon Tatum, the acting CEO of the NGA, expressed disappointment over the administration's decision, stating, “To disinvite individual governors to the White House sessions undermines an important opportunity for federal-state collaboration.” He emphasized the need for unity and constructive engagement, which he believes the White House has failed to uphold this year. In a joint statement, more than a dozen Democratic governors announced their intention to boycott the White House dinner, condemning Trump's actions as a source of "chaos and division."
Criticism & Opposition
Governor Wes Moore, who serves as the NGA's vice chair, criticized the exclusion as "blatant disrespect" and suggested that his status as the nation’s only Black governor adds a layer of significance to the snub. He stated, “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.” Similarly, Governor Jared Polis's office described the decision as disappointing, asserting that Polis has always been willing to collaborate across party lines.
Former Senator Joe Manchin, a past NGA chair, also condemned Trump's decision, urging him to reconsider, as it undermines the representation of citizens by their elected governors. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear, among others, echoed this sentiment, stating he would not attend the dinner in solidarity with Moore and Polis.
Background & Context
Historically, the NGA winter meeting has served as a platform for governors from both parties to engage with the President and discuss pressing national issues. This year's exclusion of Democratic governors is seen as a strategic move by Trump, who has had contentious relationships with both Moore and Polis over various policy disagreements, including immigration and election integrity issues.
What's Next
The NGA has indicated that it will not recognize this year's meeting as an official event, and no association resources will be used to support it. As tensions rise, the political landscape surrounding the NGA's winter gathering remains fraught with division, with implications for future federal-state relations.
Verbatim Quotes
- “To disinvite individual governors to the White House sessions undermines an important opportunity for federal-state collaboration.” — Brandon Tatum, Acting CEO of the NGA
- “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.” — Wes Moore, Governor of Maryland
- “Shutting out governors based on party affiliation doesn’t just undermine the NGA, it undermines the citizens those governors were elected to represent,” — Joe Manchin, Former Senator and NGA Chair
