Governors Refuse White House Meeting After Republicans-Only Invite

National Governors Association cancels annual business meeting with President Trump over partisan guest list.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

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The National Governors Association (NGA) will no longer hold its annual business meeting with President Donald Trump after the White House planned to invite only Republican governors to the event. NGA Chairman Kevin Stitt, the Republican governor of Oklahoma, informed fellow governors that the White House intended to limit invitations, and as a result, the NGA is no longer serving as the facilitator for the meeting.

Why it matters

The NGA is one of the few remaining bipartisan forums where state leaders from both parties can gather to discuss key issues. By excluding Democratic governors, the White House is seen as further politicizing what has traditionally been a nonpartisan event, raising concerns about the erosion of collaborative governance between federal and state officials.

The details

The NGA's annual business meeting was scheduled for February 20-21 in Washington, D.C. However, after being informed that the White House planned to invite only Republican governors, NGA Chairman Kevin Stitt said the association could no longer serve as the facilitator for the event, and it has been removed from the official program. This move comes after tensions emerged at last year's White House meeting, when President Trump and then-Maine Governor Janet Mills, a Democrat, traded barbs over transgender athlete policies.

  • The NGA annual business meeting was scheduled for February 19-21, 2026.
  • On February 10, 2026, NGA Chairman Kevin Stitt informed fellow governors of the White House's plan to invite only Republicans to the meeting.

The players

Kevin Stitt

The Republican governor of Oklahoma and current chairman of the National Governors Association.

Donald Trump

The former President of the United States.

Janet Mills

The former Democratic governor of Maine, who clashed with President Trump at last year's NGA meeting.

National Governors Association (NGA)

A bipartisan organization representing the governors of the 50 U.S. states, 3 territories, and the mayor of the District of Columbia.

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What they’re saying

“NGA staff was informed that the White House intends to limit invitations to the annual business meeting, scheduled for February 20, to Republican governors only.”

— Kevin Stitt, Governor of Oklahoma and NGA Chairman

“Because NGA's mission is to represent all 55 governors, the Association is no longer serving as the facilitator for that event, and it is no longer included in our official program.”

— Kevin Stitt, Governor of Oklahoma and NGA Chairman

What’s next

The National Governors Association will proceed with its annual business meeting in Washington, D.C. from February 19-21, 2026, but without the planned White House event.

The takeaway

This decision by the NGA highlights the growing partisan divide in American politics, as the traditionally bipartisan organization refuses to participate in a White House event that excludes Democratic governors. It underscores the challenges of maintaining collaborative governance between federal and state leaders from different political parties.