Trump Bars Two Democratic Governors From White House Meeting, Prompting Boycott

National Governors Association pulls out of annual bipartisan gathering after Trump excludes Polis and Moore

Published on Feb. 27, 2026

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The National Governors Association is withdrawing from an annual meeting at the White House after President Donald Trump declined to invite two Democratic governors, Jared Polis of Colorado and Wes Moore of Maryland. Trump recently blasted the two governors on social media, calling them 'not worthy of being there.' The episode underscores the confrontational approach Trump has taken toward state leaders he does not like, even when it comes to ceremonial White House events.

Why it matters

The White House meeting is one of the few remaining bipartisan gatherings in Washington, where governors from both parties can advocate for their states' interests. Trump's decision to exclude the Democratic governors has prompted the NGA to pull out, further eroding political cooperation at the highest levels of government.

The details

Trump is still expected to meet with some governors at the White House on Friday, but the event will not be facilitated by the NGA, an organization founded over a century ago to help state leaders from both parties work together. Republican Gov. Spencer Cox of Utah acknowledged that Trump's aim as president is not to unify the country, saying 'He's not putting his mind to it. He's said very clearly that that's not who he is.' Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, the NGA's vice chair, said he has 'no desire to have beef with the president' but feels 'bad for him' over Trump's personal attacks.

  • The National Governors Association is pulling out of the annual White House meeting scheduled for this Friday, February 20, 2026.
  • Trump recently blasted Democratic Govs. Jared Polis and Wes Moore on social media, calling them 'not worthy of being there.'

The players

Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States, known for his confrontational approach toward state leaders he does not like.

Jared Polis

The Democratic governor of Colorado, who was not invited to the White House meeting by Trump.

Wes Moore

The Democratic governor of Maryland and vice chair of the National Governors Association, who was also not invited to the White House meeting by Trump.

Kevin Stitt

The Republican governor of Oklahoma and chair of the National Governors Association, who tried to resolve the standoff between the White House and the Democratic governors.

Spencer Cox

The Republican governor of Utah, who acknowledged that Trump's aim as president is not to unify the country.

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What they’re saying

“I've spent quality time with my colleagues this morning and really learning from one another and taking best practices that Republican or Democratic governors have launched in their state. It's really what these meetings are about.”

— Jared Polis, Governor of Colorado (wbal.com)

“I didn't run for governor like, man, I can't wait so me and the president can go toe to toe. But the fact that he is waking up in the middle of the night and tweeting about me, I just, I pray for him and I just feel bad for him because that has just got to be a really, really hard existence.”

— Wes Moore, Governor of Maryland and Vice Chair of the National Governors Association (wbal.com)

“Politics has a way of just beating you down over time so I can't imagine being president of the United States. He's got a tough job to do.”

— Kevin Stitt, Governor of Oklahoma and Chair of the National Governors Association (wbal.com)

What’s next

The National Governors Association is expected to hold its own meeting in Washington, D.C. this week, separate from the White House event.

The takeaway

Trump's decision to exclude Democratic governors from the White House meeting further erodes bipartisanship in Washington, with the National Governors Association withdrawing from the event in protest. This episode highlights the deep divisions in American politics and the challenges of maintaining cooperation between federal and state leaders.