Governors BLINDSIDED By Trump’s Unprecedented Power Move

A note pinned to a corkboard that says YOU'RE INVITED

President Trump has shattered decades of bipartisan tradition by excluding Democratic governors from the annual White House meeting during the National Governors Association winter gathering, revealing yet another example of how the political establishment’s expectations mean nothing when common sense governance takes priority.

Story Snapshot

Trump invited only Republican governors to the traditional White House policy meeting, breaking decades-long bipartisan precedent
Maryland Governor Wes Moore and Colorado Governor Jared Polis were disinvited from a separate dinner without explanation
Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced a boycott in solidarity with excluded Democratic colleagues
White House defended the decision as presidential prerogative while the National Governors Association condemned the partisan shift

Trump Restructures White House Governors Meeting

President Trump scheduled a Republican-only meeting with governors during the National Governors Association winter gathering in late February 2026, departing from the inclusive approach maintained by previous administrations. The White House planned a separate bipartisan dinner, but subsequently withdrew invitations to at least two Democratic governors. Governors’ offices learned of the Republican-exclusive meeting on Friday before February 6, 2026. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the arrangement, stating the president possesses discretion over guest lists and noting that separate coordination meetings with Democratic governors occurred.

Democratic Governors Respond to Exclusion

Maryland Governor Wes Moore, serving as NGA Vice Chair and the nation’s only Black governor, characterized his disinvitation as blatant disrespect, adding racial implications to the controversy. Colorado Governor Jared Polis expressed disappointment through his spokesperson, calling the decision a departure from traditional bipartisan engagement. Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear announced on ABC’s “The View” he would boycott the dinner entirely, stating Trump “puts party ahead of being American” and blocks potential collaboration where common ground exists. Moore declared the NGA would not recognize the limited dinner as an official event.

National Governors Association Criticizes Partisan Shift

The National Governors Association issued a statement expressing disappointment with the partisan approach, arguing it undermines federal-state collaboration at a critical moment for the nation. Acting CEO Brandon Tatum called for unity, dignity, and constructive engagement, framing the exclusion as a missed opportunity for governors to work together on shared priorities. The organization emphasized the decades-long tradition of inclusive White House meetings that fostered cooperation regardless of political affiliation. This marks the first documented instance of a sitting president excluding governors by party from the traditional NGA-linked White House gathering.

Context Behind Governor Tensions

The exclusion occurs amid specific tensions between Trump and some Democratic governors. Trump has pressured Colorado officials, including Governor Polis, for months to pardon Tina Peters, who was convicted on state charges for 2020 election tampering related to false claims favoring Trump. Federal pardon power does not extend to state convictions, making Trump’s pressure on Polis inappropriate and outside proper constitutional boundaries. The White House has not provided explanations for why Moore and Polis specifically lost their dinner invitations. These personal dimensions distinguish this event from standard policy disagreements between federal and state officials.

Later this month, President Trump is hosting an annual meeting with governors at the White House, but he will not invite any Democrats, only Republicans, breaking a long-standing tradition. https://t.co/kIbOsWcdPD

— ABC News Politics (@ABCPolitics) February 9, 2026

The decision represents a clear departure from the cooperative federalism model that has guided executive-state relations for generations. While Trump maintains the constitutional authority to determine his meeting participants, the break from tradition signals a shift toward partisan governance that may complicate future federal-state coordination. Democratic governors and the NGA warn this approach could normalize exclusionary practices that hinder effective policy development across party lines. The White House position remains that separate Democratic meetings fulfill coordination requirements, though critics argue these lack the collaborative atmosphere of traditional joint sessions with all fifty state leaders present.