Full Breakdown
Controversy Erupts Over Exclusion of Democratic Governors from White House Meeting
2/13/2026, 8:58:23 PM
Background of the National Governors Association Meeting
The National Governors Association (NGA) is set to hold its annual winter gathering in Washington, D.C., from February 19 to 21, 2026. Traditionally, this event has been a bipartisan meeting where governors from all states meet with the President of the United States to discuss various issues. However, this year, President Donald Trump initially planned to exclude two Democratic governors, Wes Moore of Maryland and Jared Polis of Colorado, from a White House dinner and a business meeting.
Core Events: The Invitation Controversy
On February 10, 2026, it was reported that Trump had disinvited Moore and Polis from the White House dinner, prompting a backlash from Democratic governors. The NGA announced it would not facilitate the meeting if it remained exclusive to Republican governors. Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, the NGA chair, initially communicated that the meeting would not include Democratic governors, citing a need for bipartisanship. However, following discussions with Trump, Stitt later stated that all governors would be invited to the business breakfast on February 20, claiming it was a misunderstanding.
Despite this, Trump took to his Truth Social platform to assert that invitations had been sent to all governors except for Moore and Polis, whom he criticized for their governance. He stated, “The invitations were sent to ALL Governors, other than two, who I feel are not worthy of being there.”
Official Statements & Responses
Brandon Tatum, CEO of the NGA, expressed disappointment over the administration's decision to make the meeting partisan, stating, “The bipartisan White House governors meeting is a valued tradition and an important opportunity to build bridges and hold constructive conversations.” Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended Trump's authority to invite whom he chooses, emphasizing that it is the president's prerogative to manage the guest list.
In response to the exclusion, 18 Democratic governors announced a boycott of the White House dinner, stating, “Democratic governors have a long record of working across the aisle to deliver results... But it’s disappointing this administration doesn’t seem to share the same goal.”
Criticism & Opposition
Moore criticized the exclusion as a “blatant disrespect” to the spirit of bipartisan cooperation, particularly highlighting the added weight of being the nation’s only Black governor. Polis's spokesperson described the exclusion as “disappointing,” emphasizing a commitment to working collaboratively with both parties.
Trump's comments about Moore included accusations of poor governance and embellishment regarding military honors, while he criticized Polis for his handling of a controversial election-related case involving former county clerk Tina Peters.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Despite Stitt's assertion that all governors would be invited, Trump's statements created confusion regarding the actual guest list. While the NGA initially removed the meeting from its agenda due to the exclusion of Democratic governors, it later confirmed that all governors were invited to the business breakfast. However, the status of the dinner remained unclear, with Trump reaffirming that Moore and Polis would not be welcome.
What's Next
The NGA's annual gathering will proceed with discussions on various pressing issues, but the exclusion of Moore and Polis raises questions about the future of bipartisan cooperation between state and federal leaders. The fate of the traditional dinner remains uncertain, as the Democratic governors have indicated they will not attend unless all members are invited.
This controversy highlights the ongoing tensions in U.S. politics, particularly regarding the relationship between state governors and the federal administration, and the implications it may have for future collaborations.
