Thursday, February 12, 2026-President Donald Trump reversed course this week and agreed to invite all U.S. governors to a White House meeting tied to the National Governors Association (NGA) winter conference — but not without stirring sharp political conflict first.
Trump initially planned to exclude Democratic governors from the traditionally bipartisan session, a break from decades-old practice that sparked criticism from leaders on both sides of the aisle. After an outcry and intervention by Republican NGA chair Gov. Kevin Stitt, Trump confirmed that all 55 governors will be included in the business breakfast with the administration on February 20.
Despite the accommodation on the main meeting, controversy persists as the White House still rescinded invitations for two Democratic governors — Maryland’s Wes Moore and Colorado’s Jared Polis — to attend a related dinner event. That decision prompted 16 other Democratic governors to threaten a boycott of the dinner, framing the exclusion as politically divisive and a departure from the long-standing bipartisan tradition of cooperation with the executive branch. The episode has cast a spotlight on partisan tensions that have grown sharper between the administration and state leaders.
Governors from across the political spectrum are now gearing up for the NGA’s Washington summit on February 19‑21, but the shake-ups at the White House have underscored how strained federal‑state relations have become. Trump’s initial snub and subsequent partial reversal highlight ongoing battles over access, influence, and political symbolism at a moment when cooperation on national issues — from infrastructure to public health to economic recovery — is urgently needed.
0 Comments