Trump excludes Democratic governors from National Governors Association meeting
Bipartisan White House tradition collapses as NGA cancels meeting
Bipartisan White House tradition collapses as NGA cancels meeting
On Feb. 9, 2026, the National Governors Association announced it would no longer hold a formal meeting with Trump after the White House planned to invite only Republican governors to the Feb. 20 business meeting.
Essential concepts and terms to understand this topic
The President's exclusive power to recognize foreign governments and their territorial claims.
Doctrine that some constitutional questions are reserved for elected branches, not courts.
Policy influence exercised by unelected White House staff through control of information, meetings, and access to the President.
A rejected theory that states can nullify or block federal laws they consider unconstitutional.
Power is divided between the federal government and state governments, each exercising authority in designated areas.

President of the United States
Decided to exclude Democratic governors from business meeting and excluded Moore and Polis from dinner
Governor, NGA Chairman
Canceled NGA facilitation of White House meeting, wrote letter urging governors not to let "one divisive action achieve its goal of dividing us"
Maryland Governor, NGA Vice Chair
Excluded from White House dinner despite being NGA vice chair; nation's only Black governor
Colorado Governor
Excluded from White House dinner with no explanation given
White House Press Secretary
Defended Trump's decision, saying the president "can invite whomever he wants" to White House events
Contact your governor's office to ask how exclusion from federal meetings affects your state's ability to secure disaster funding, infrastructure grants, and federal cooperation. Find contact info at nga.org/governors.
Ask your U.S. Senators and Representative how they view partisan exclusion from bipartisan forums. Capitol Switchboard: (202) 224-3121.
Monitor whether your state experiences delays or denials of federal assistance. Track FEMA disaster declarations, highway funding, Medicaid waivers, and National Guard coordination.