Maryland Governor Wes Moore Says He Was Excluded From White House Events

Moore claims he was singled out by the White House, despite being the vice chair of the National Governors Association.

Published on Feb. 8, 2026

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Maryland Democratic Governor Wes Moore says the White House has excluded him from a couple of bipartisan events for the nation's governors later this month, including the National Governors Association's annual meeting and dinner with the president. Moore claims this is an example of "blatant disrespect" and a "snub to the spirit of bipartisan federal-state partnership", especially as the only Black governor in the country.

Why it matters

The annual NGA meeting is a long-standing tradition that provides an important opportunity for state and federal governments to engage on pressing issues. Moore's exclusion from these events raises concerns about political divisions and the erosion of bipartisanship, especially given his leadership role within the NGA.

The details

According to reports, all Democratic governors have been disinvited from the NGA meeting, and Moore is also being excluded from a separate dinner for governors and their spouses. Moore says he led a productive meeting with both Democratic and Republican governors at the White House last week, making his exclusion even more puzzling. The White House has stated that the president can invite whomever he wants to these events, which will no longer be official NGA gatherings.

  • The National Governors Association will be in Washington, D.C. for its annual meeting and dinner with the president from February 19 to February 21, 2026.
  • Moore and other Democratic governors were disinvited from these events in early February 2026.

The players

Wes Moore

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

President Trump

The current President of the United States who has excluded Governor Moore from the upcoming White House events for the nation's governors.

National Governors Association (NGA)

A bipartisan organization of the nation's governors that traditionally holds events with the President, though the White House events will no longer be official NGA gatherings.

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What they’re saying

“My peers, both Democrats and Republicans, selected me to serve as the Vice Chair of the NGA, another reason why it's hard not to see this decision as another example of blatant disrespect and a snub to the spirit of bipartisan federal-state partnership.”

— Wes Moore, Governor of Maryland (CBS News)

“As the nation's only Black governor, I can't ignore that being singled out for exclusion from this bipartisan tradition carries an added weight, whether that was the intent or not.”

— Wes Moore, Governor of Maryland (CBS News)

“These are White House events and the president can invite whomever he wants.”

— Karoline Leavitt, White House Press Secretary (Politico)

What’s next

The National Governors Association has confirmed that the White House events will no longer be official NGA gatherings, and no NGA resources will be used to support transportation for these activities.

The takeaway

This situation highlights the growing political divisions and erosion of bipartisanship, even at the highest levels of government. It raises concerns about the ability of state and federal leaders to work together effectively on pressing issues facing the nation.