Trump Reverses Course on Governors Meeting After Democratic Snub Backlash

President Donald Trump announced Wednesday that nearly all governors, including Democrats, can attend a formal meeting and dinner at the White House next week during the National Governors Association conference. This came after an initial plan to bar Democratic governors sparked widespread backlash and threats of a boycott from the other side.

Background

The National Governors Association holds its annual winter meeting every February, bringing together leaders from all 50 states, plus territories, for talks on shared issues like the economy and public safety. These gatherings often include a bipartisan meeting with the president at the White House, a tradition that dates back decades. Last year, governors from both parties sat down with Trump for such an event, even though it led to a heated exchange with Maine Governor Janet Mills over sports policies for transgender athletes.

This year, the conference runs from February 19 to 21 in Washington. Early planning hit a snag when the White House told the NGA on February 5 that only Republican governors would get invites to the formal business meeting on February 20 and a follow-up dinner on February 21. The NGA, led by Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, a Republican, quickly pulled back. Stitt wrote to governors on Monday that the group would not host or list the meeting on its schedule because it goes against their mission to represent everyone.

Word of the exclusions spread fast. Democratic governors, through their group, issued a joint statement Tuesday saying they would skip any White House events in solidarity with the two left out: Maryland's Wes Moore and Colorado's Jared Polis. The statement came from 18 Democrats, including big names like California's Gavin Newsom and Illinois' JB Pritzker. They called it a break from the event's history of bringing people together across party lines.

Stitt stepped in with talks between the White House and NGA. By Wednesday, he sent a message to all 55 governors and territories saying everyone is now welcome at the February 20 meeting. Democratic offices started getting invites that evening. But Trump quickly posted on Truth Social to set things straight, saying invitations went out to all except Moore and Polis, whom he called unworthy. He noted he even invited foes like Pritzker and Newsom.

Key Details

The shift leaves two Democrats on the outside. Trump pointed to specific gripes. For Polis, it's over Tina Peters, a former Colorado election clerk serving nine years for tampering with voting machines. Trump has asked Polis for months to pardon her, but Polis has not budged. On Moore, Trump labeled him foul-mouthed and accused him of lying about military medals on a 2006 application. Moore, who served in Afghanistan, got a Bronze Star later and called it an honest error.

Invitations and Responses

Moore got an invite to the business meeting despite Trump's words, according to people close to the matter. It's not clear if Polis did. Stitt's message to governors praised Trump's intent to hear from leaders nationwide and said any mix-up in scheduling got fixed.

"He was very clear in his communications with me that this is a National Governors Association's event, and he looks forward to hosting you and hearing from governors across the country." – Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, in message to governors

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt backed the president's choice earlier, saying it's his home and he picks the guests. A Polis aide said the governor stays focused on state work, not games. Moore earlier called the snub a sign of disrespect to partnerships between states and the federal government. As NGA vice chair, he carries extra weight in the group.

Stitt drew fire too from Trump, who called him a RINO for backing Ron DeSantis in last year's primaries. The NGA has faced other strains lately. Some Democrats wanted it to speak out more against Trump steps, like sending National Guard to California and Illinois without local okay.

What This Means

This back-and-forth shows how party divides can spill into routine state-federal talks. Governors handle day-to-day issues like schools, roads, and emergencies, often needing White House help on funding or rules. A partisan White House event risks making those links harder, especially when Democrats run 18 states plus territories.

The NGA stays neutral by design, but exclusions test that. Last year's meeting went ahead with both sides despite tension. This time, most Democrats may show up now that doors opened wider, but the two holdouts highlight personal rifts. Peters' case ties into bigger election trust debates, while Moore's situation touches on military service claims that pop up in politics.

For the conference, expect talks on budget fights, border policy, and disaster aid. With most governors attending, it could smooth some paths. But the dinner on the 21st remains unclear—NGA has no word yet on invites there. Spouses were set to join, making it more social.

Broader, this plays into patterns. Trump often uses personal beefs to shape invites, from dinners to summits. Governors like Newsom and Pritzker, who clashed over troops, still got calls this time. It might signal willingness to work despite past fights. On the flip side, boycotts show Democrats ready to push back as a block.

Stitt's role as chair puts him in the middle. His push got most invites out, but Trump's post created confusion. Offices are sorting who goes where. The full list of attendees will show how deep the splits run.

As states face federal shifts on everything from health care to energy, these meetings matter for real outcomes. A full table helps align on shared goals; empty chairs do the opposite. With the event days away, eyes stay on final RSVPs and any last words from the players.