Governors Gather in Washington Amid Partisan Tensions

Annual National Governors Association conference faces disruption from Trump's exclusionary approach

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

Governors from across the country have arrived in Washington, D.C. for the annual National Governors Association conference, but the traditional bipartisan tone of the event has been disrupted by President Donald Trump's decision to not invite all governors to the customary White House meeting and dinner. The break from tradition reflects Trump's broader confrontational stance toward some states, with several governors now casting themselves as a counterweight to the White House.

Why it matters

The National Governors Association conference is typically a rare display of bipartisanship in American politics, but Trump's exclusionary approach threatens to undermine this tradition. As the Republican-controlled Congress has been unwilling to limit Trump's ambitions, governors have increasingly positioned themselves as a check on presidential power, raising questions about the future of federal-state relations.

The details

Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt, a Republican, and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, a Democrat, traded jokes and compliments during a joint appearance, showcasing the bipartisan spirit that has historically defined the NGA conference. However, Trump has broken with custom by declining to invite all governors to the traditional White House meeting and dinner, and has even called Stitt, the NGA's chair, a 'RINO' (Republican in name only) and continued to feud with Moore, the group's vice chair, over a sewage spill involving a federally regulated pipeline.

  • The National Governors Association conference is being held this week in Washington, D.C.
  • President Trump has declined to invite all governors to the traditional White House meeting and dinner as part of the conference.

The players

Kevin Stitt

The Republican governor of Oklahoma and chair of the National Governors Association.

Wes Moore

The Democratic governor of Maryland and vice chair of the National Governors Association.

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States, who has taken a confrontational stance toward some states and broken with tradition by not inviting all governors to the White House during the NGA conference.

Spencer Cox

The Republican governor of Utah, who has criticized the expansion of executive power in recent administrations and called on Congress to 'get their act together.'

Jared Polis

The Democratic governor of Colorado, who Trump said was not invited to the White House event because he is 'not worthy of being there.'

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“People are paying attention to how governors are moving, because I think governors have a unique way to move in this moment that other people just don't.”

— Wes Moore, Governor of Maryland (The Associated Press)

“Here's a Republican and Democrat governor from different states that literally agree on probably 80% of the things. And the things we disagree on we can have honest conversations on.”

— Kevin Stitt, Governor of Oklahoma (kob.com)

“Presidents aren't supposed to do this stuff. Congress needs to get their act together. And stop performing for TikTok and actually start doing stuff. That's the flaw we're dealing with right now.”

— Spencer Cox, Governor of Utah (kob.com)

What’s next

The bipartisan tone struck during the opening of the National Governors Association conference will be tested as the event continues throughout the week, with questions remaining about whether it can endure amid the ongoing tensions between the White House and some state leaders.

The takeaway

The National Governors Association conference has traditionally been a rare display of bipartisanship in American politics, but President Trump's decision to exclude certain governors from the customary White House events threatens to undermine this tradition. As the federal-state dynamic becomes increasingly strained, the ability of governors to work across the aisle will be crucial in addressing the challenges facing the nation.