President Donald Trump excludes two Democratic governors from bipartisan White House dinner in row
TOI GLOBAL | Feb 10, 2026, 18:25 IST
Trump White House Ballroom
President Donald Trump has excluded Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis from a traditionally bipartisan White House dinner with the nation’s governors, drawing criticism and raising concerns about worsening federal–state relations and growing political divisions.
President Donald Trump has broken with long-standing bipartisan tradition by excluding two Democratic governors from an upcoming White House dinner held in conjunction with the National Governors Association’s winter meeting, a move that is drawing criticism and raising new questions about federal–state relations.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis were disinvited from the gathering, which historically includes governors from both major political parties. The decision also extends to a broader White House meeting with governors scheduled during the association’s Feb. 19–21 convening in Washington, D.C., where only Republican governors are expected to attend.
Leaders connected to the governors’ group warned that turning a traditionally bipartisan event into a partisan one could undermine cooperation between states and the federal government. The annual dinner and policy discussions have long served as a rare forum for governors to engage directly with the president regardless of party affiliation, particularly on shared concerns such as infrastructure, disaster response, and economic development.
The White House defended the move by emphasizing that presidential events are invitation-only and at the discretion of the administration. Officials did not clearly explain why Moore and Polis were singled out while some other Democratic governors reportedly received invitations, leaving the rationale open to political interpretation.
Both excluded governors have previously clashed with Trump. Moore, who also serves as vice president of the National Governors Association, has disputed the president’s past threats involving federal intervention in Baltimore and potential funding decisions tied to infrastructure rebuilding. In response to his exclusion, Moore suggested the decision carries additional symbolic weight given that he is the nation’s only Black governor, though he stopped short of attributing motive. He reiterated his willingness to work with the administration while maintaining political independence.
Polis has likewise faced repeated criticism from Trump, including federal actions affecting Colorado policy priorities and funding. State officials called the exclusion disappointing, noting the importance of maintaining bipartisan dialogue between governors and the White House regardless of political disagreements.
President Donald Trump has excluded Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis from a traditionally bipartisan White House dinner with the nation’s governors, drawing criticism and raising concerns about worsening federal–state relations and growing political divisions.
The dispute reflects a broader pattern of tension between Trump and Democratic state leaders during his current term. Previous confrontations have included threats to withhold federal funds from states over policy disputes and sharp exchanges during governors’ meetings. One notable clash occurred in 2025 when Maine’s Democratic governor challenged Trump during a White House discussion about federal funding tied to transgender athlete participation policies, ending with a pledge to resolve the matter in court.
By reshaping the governors’ gathering into a more partisan event, Trump risks further straining relationships with states led by the opposing party at a time when cooperation is often required to address natural disasters, public health concerns, and major infrastructure projects. Supporters of the president argue he is exercising executive discretion, while critics contend the move weakens institutional norms designed to encourage collaboration across party lines.
As governors prepare to meet in Washington, the controversy surrounding the dinner underscores how political divisions in the nation’s capital increasingly shape interactions between federal and state leadership. Whether the break from tradition becomes a lasting precedent may depend on how future administrations choose to engage with governors from both parties.
President Donald Trump has broken with long-standing bipartisan tradition by excluding two Democratic governors from an upcoming White House dinner held in conjunction with the National Governors Association’s winter meeting, a move that is drawing criticism and raising new questions about federal–state relations.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis were disinvited from the gathering, which historically includes governors from both major political parties. The decision also extends to a broader White House meeting with governors scheduled during the association’s Feb. 19–21 convening in Washington, D.C., where only Republican governors are expected to attend.
Leaders connected to the governors’ group warned that turning a traditionally bipartisan event into a partisan one could undermine cooperation between states and the federal government. The annual dinner and policy discussions have long served as a rare forum for governors to engage directly with the president regardless of party affiliation, particularly on shared concerns such as infrastructure, disaster response, and economic development.
The White House defended the move by emphasizing that presidential events are invitation-only and at the discretion of the administration. Officials did not clearly explain why Moore and Polis were singled out while some other Democratic governors reportedly received invitations, leaving the rationale open to political interpretation.
Both excluded governors have previously clashed with Trump. Moore, who also serves as vice president of the National Governors Association, has disputed the president’s past threats involving federal intervention in Baltimore and potential funding decisions tied to infrastructure rebuilding. In response to his exclusion, Moore suggested the decision carries additional symbolic weight given that he is the nation’s only Black governor, though he stopped short of attributing motive. He reiterated his willingness to work with the administration while maintaining political independence.
Polis has likewise faced repeated criticism from Trump, including federal actions affecting Colorado policy priorities and funding. State officials called the exclusion disappointing, noting the importance of maintaining bipartisan dialogue between governors and the White House regardless of political disagreements.
The dispute reflects a broader pattern of tension between Trump and Democratic state leaders during his current term. Previous confrontations have included threats to withhold federal funds from states over policy disputes and sharp exchanges during governors’ meetings. One notable clash occurred in 2025 when Maine’s Democratic governor challenged Trump during a White House discussion about federal funding tied to transgender athlete participation policies, ending with a pledge to resolve the matter in court.
By reshaping the governors’ gathering into a more partisan event, Trump risks further straining relationships with states led by the opposing party at a time when cooperation is often required to address natural disasters, public health concerns, and major infrastructure projects. Supporters of the president argue he is exercising executive discretion, while critics contend the move weakens institutional norms designed to encourage collaboration across party lines.
As governors prepare to meet in Washington, the controversy surrounding the dinner underscores how political divisions in the nation’s capital increasingly shape interactions between federal and state leadership. Whether the break from tradition becomes a lasting precedent may depend on how future administrations choose to engage with governors from both parties.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis were disinvited from the gathering, which historically includes governors from both major political parties. The decision also extends to a broader White House meeting with governors scheduled during the association’s Feb. 19–21 convening in Washington, D.C., where only Republican governors are expected to attend.
Leaders connected to the governors’ group warned that turning a traditionally bipartisan event into a partisan one could undermine cooperation between states and the federal government. The annual dinner and policy discussions have long served as a rare forum for governors to engage directly with the president regardless of party affiliation, particularly on shared concerns such as infrastructure, disaster response, and economic development.
The White House defended the move by emphasizing that presidential events are invitation-only and at the discretion of the administration. Officials did not clearly explain why Moore and Polis were singled out while some other Democratic governors reportedly received invitations, leaving the rationale open to political interpretation.
Both excluded governors have previously clashed with Trump. Moore, who also serves as vice president of the National Governors Association, has disputed the president’s past threats involving federal intervention in Baltimore and potential funding decisions tied to infrastructure rebuilding. In response to his exclusion, Moore suggested the decision carries additional symbolic weight given that he is the nation’s only Black governor, though he stopped short of attributing motive. He reiterated his willingness to work with the administration while maintaining political independence.
Polis has likewise faced repeated criticism from Trump, including federal actions affecting Colorado policy priorities and funding. State officials called the exclusion disappointing, noting the importance of maintaining bipartisan dialogue between governors and the White House regardless of political disagreements.
President Donald Trump has excluded Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis from a traditionally bipartisan White House dinner with the nation’s governors, drawing criticism and raising concerns about worsening federal–state relations and growing political divisions.
The dispute reflects a broader pattern of tension between Trump and Democratic state leaders during his current term. Previous confrontations have included threats to withhold federal funds from states over policy disputes and sharp exchanges during governors’ meetings. One notable clash occurred in 2025 when Maine’s Democratic governor challenged Trump during a White House discussion about federal funding tied to transgender athlete participation policies, ending with a pledge to resolve the matter in court.
By reshaping the governors’ gathering into a more partisan event, Trump risks further straining relationships with states led by the opposing party at a time when cooperation is often required to address natural disasters, public health concerns, and major infrastructure projects. Supporters of the president argue he is exercising executive discretion, while critics contend the move weakens institutional norms designed to encourage collaboration across party lines.
As governors prepare to meet in Washington, the controversy surrounding the dinner underscores how political divisions in the nation’s capital increasingly shape interactions between federal and state leadership. Whether the break from tradition becomes a lasting precedent may depend on how future administrations choose to engage with governors from both parties.
President Donald Trump has broken with long-standing bipartisan tradition by excluding two Democratic governors from an upcoming White House dinner held in conjunction with the National Governors Association’s winter meeting, a move that is drawing criticism and raising new questions about federal–state relations.
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis were disinvited from the gathering, which historically includes governors from both major political parties. The decision also extends to a broader White House meeting with governors scheduled during the association’s Feb. 19–21 convening in Washington, D.C., where only Republican governors are expected to attend.
Leaders connected to the governors’ group warned that turning a traditionally bipartisan event into a partisan one could undermine cooperation between states and the federal government. The annual dinner and policy discussions have long served as a rare forum for governors to engage directly with the president regardless of party affiliation, particularly on shared concerns such as infrastructure, disaster response, and economic development.
The White House defended the move by emphasizing that presidential events are invitation-only and at the discretion of the administration. Officials did not clearly explain why Moore and Polis were singled out while some other Democratic governors reportedly received invitations, leaving the rationale open to political interpretation.
Both excluded governors have previously clashed with Trump. Moore, who also serves as vice president of the National Governors Association, has disputed the president’s past threats involving federal intervention in Baltimore and potential funding decisions tied to infrastructure rebuilding. In response to his exclusion, Moore suggested the decision carries additional symbolic weight given that he is the nation’s only Black governor, though he stopped short of attributing motive. He reiterated his willingness to work with the administration while maintaining political independence.
Polis has likewise faced repeated criticism from Trump, including federal actions affecting Colorado policy priorities and funding. State officials called the exclusion disappointing, noting the importance of maintaining bipartisan dialogue between governors and the White House regardless of political disagreements.
The dispute reflects a broader pattern of tension between Trump and Democratic state leaders during his current term. Previous confrontations have included threats to withhold federal funds from states over policy disputes and sharp exchanges during governors’ meetings. One notable clash occurred in 2025 when Maine’s Democratic governor challenged Trump during a White House discussion about federal funding tied to transgender athlete participation policies, ending with a pledge to resolve the matter in court.
By reshaping the governors’ gathering into a more partisan event, Trump risks further straining relationships with states led by the opposing party at a time when cooperation is often required to address natural disasters, public health concerns, and major infrastructure projects. Supporters of the president argue he is exercising executive discretion, while critics contend the move weakens institutional norms designed to encourage collaboration across party lines.
As governors prepare to meet in Washington, the controversy surrounding the dinner underscores how political divisions in the nation’s capital increasingly shape interactions between federal and state leadership. Whether the break from tradition becomes a lasting precedent may depend on how future administrations choose to engage with governors from both parties.