Democratic Governors Boycott White House Dinner Over Exclusion

Governors unite in protest over President's decision to exclude some Democratic state leaders from annual event.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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Several Democratic Governors plan to boycott a White House dinner timed to the National Governors Association's annual gathering after reports that President Donald Trump plans to exclude Gov. Jared Polis of Colorado and Gov. Wes Moore of Maryland from the event. The Democratic Governors Association framed the move as a show of unity in response to what it described as a break from the event's long-standing bipartisan tradition.

Why it matters

The annual National Governors Association meeting is considered one of Washington's most cherished bipartisan traditions, with the President typically meeting with all state leaders. The decision to exclude some Democratic Governors is seen as a partisan move that threatens to further divide the country along political lines.

The details

The Democratic Governors Association (DGA) said in a statement that if the reports of selective invitations are true, they will not be attending the White House dinner this year. The statement was co-signed by 18 Democratic Governors, who accused Trump of 'creating chaos and division.' White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the President's authority over the guest list, saying 'it's the people's house, it's also the President's home, so he can invite whomever he wants.'

  • The National Governors Association's annual gathering is scheduled for February 19-21, 2026.
  • The White House dinner is timed to coincide with the NGA's annual meeting.

The players

Democratic Governors Association (DGA)

An organization that represents Democratic state governors and coordinates their political activities.

Jared Polis

Governor of Colorado.

Wes Moore

Governor of Maryland and vice chair of the National Governors Association.

Karoline Leavitt

White House press secretary.

Kevin Stitt

Governor of Oklahoma and chair of the National Governors Association.

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What they’re saying

“If the reports are true, that not all Governors are invited to these events, which have historically been productive and bipartisan opportunities for collaboration, we will not be attending the White House dinner this year.”

— Democratic Governors Association

“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 and vice chair of the National Governors Association

“It's a dinner at the White House. It's the people's house, it's also the President's home, so he can invite whomever he wants to dinners and events here.”

— Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary

What’s next

The National Governors Association's annual business meeting, scheduled for February 20, 2026, will no longer be facilitated by the association due to the White House's decision to limit invitations to Republican Governors only.

The takeaway

The boycott of the White House dinner by Democratic Governors highlights the growing partisan divide in American politics, with the traditional bipartisan cooperation between state and federal leaders being undermined by the current administration's actions.