The National Governors Association (NGA), renowned for fostering bipartisan coordination among the United States' governors, is experiencing significant ruptures due to recent developments involving the White House's invitation policies. President Donald Trump's administration has reportedly limited invitations to the annual White House meeting scheduled in February to Republican governors only, excluding their Democratic counterparts. This decision marks a sharp departure from the event's historical role as a collaborative bipartisan forum.
Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, a Republican and chair of the NGA, addressed this issue in a letter dated Monday, which was obtained by various news outlets. Stitt confirmed that the White House intends the event strictly for Republican governors and that the NGA, whose mission encompasses representing all 55 state and territorial governors, will thus not serve as the official organizer nor be part of the event's formal program. The exclusion of Democratic governors effectively sidelines the NGA from facilitating what has been one of its signature bipartisan gatherings.
Earlier in the week, a group of eighteen Democratic governors collectively announced their decision to boycott the customary White House dinner, an occasion traditionally known for fostering cross-party dialogue. They issued a joint statement emphasizing that if the reports excluding some governors hold true, particularly those excluding Democrats, they will not participate. The Democrats reaffirmed their commitment to uniting behind state-level priorities and advocating for policies that enhance quality of life for their constituents.
The NGA's CEO, Brandon Tatum, lamented the administration's move, describing the White House meeting as an "important tradition" disrupted by the decision to inject partisanship into what had been a nonpartisan environment. Tatum expressed disappointment that such a reputable platform for governors across the political spectrum to discuss pressing policy and governance issues is now being politicized.
Governor Stitt urged governors to focus on their shared responsibilities and emphasized adherence to pragmatic leadership amid rising political division. He cautioned against allowing one divisive act to fracture the long-established unity among governors, particularly in areas where bipartisanship has yielded productive results. His call was articulated as an appeal to transcend political discord and remain focused on serving the populace.
The significance of the rupture is underscored by last year's tense interactions at the event, notably between President Trump and Maine Governor Janet Mills, a Democrat. Their exchange, centered on the governor's policy opposing the participation of transgender athletes in women's sports, escalated into a public dispute involving threats to federal funding and counter legal challenges. Such incidents have contributed to fraying relations and led some Democratic governors to reconsider—and in some cases withdraw—their involvement with the NGA.
With the NGA's official withdrawal from the event program and concerted boycotts by Democratic governors, the upcoming gathering from February 19 to 21 in Washington signals a departure from the previously cooperative spirit that characterized this annual forum. While the White House, NGA representatives, and Governor Stitt's office have remained largely silent regarding ongoing discussions, the evolving situation highlights the challenges facing mechanisms designed to encourage bipartisan governance on a national scale.