Democratic Governors Boycott White House Dinner Over Invitation Snub

Democratic governors have come together to support Colorado Governor Jared Polis and Maryland Governor Wes Moore after they were left out of a traditional bipartisan dinner at the White House. Among those showing their solidarity is Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, who announced his decision to boycott the planned events as part of the National Governors Association’s annual winter gathering from February 19 to February 21.

On Tuesday, Governor Pritzker expressed his stance, stating, “I will not participate in the White House dinner with this President. I stand with Governors Wes Moore and Jared Polis, opposing Trump’s corruption and hatred, and I urge my Republican peers to join us.”

The boycott is spearheaded by the Democratic Governors Association’s chair, Kentucky’s Governor Andy Beshear, and its vice chair, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer. Other Democratic governors confirming their participation in the boycott include California Governor Gavin Newsom, Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz. In a joint statement signed by 18 governors on Tuesday, they criticized former President Donald Trump for fostering “chaos and division” by excluding certain state leaders from the events.

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It has been reported that the White House deviated from the norm of inviting governors from both major parties. While a White House official told Politico that several Democrats did receive invitations, others were left out.

This decision not to include all Democratic governors follows a public disagreement between President Trump and Maine’s Democratic Governor Janet Mills during a bipartisan “Governors Working Session” last February. The argument, which centered around transgender sports participation, was widely televised and set off a series of exchanges between the two over adhering to federal directives, including those concerning transgender sports.

When questioned about the exclusions, a White House spokesperson referred reporters to comments made by Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt. During a briefing, she defended President Trump’s choice not to invite certain Democratic governors, affirming his right to choose whom he invites to White House dinners.

Leavitt remarked, “It’s the people’s house and the president’s home, so he can invite whomever he chooses.” She also noted that Governor Moore was invited last year but did not attend, saying, “The president welcomes those with an invitation, and if they choose not to come, it’s their loss.”

Appearing on CNN’s “State of the Union,” Governor Moore hinted that his exclusion might be racially motivated, stressing he is the country’s only Black governor and that Democratic peers wish to see him in leadership roles. Moore noted he led a delegation to the White House weeks before.

In reaction, Brandon Tatum, CEO of the National Governors Association (NGA), expressed disappointment at the administration’s actions. Meanwhile, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, a Republican and NGA chairman, stated in a letter that the NGA was no longer overseeing the upcoming event. The NGA’s role is traditionally to represent governors from all 50 states and U.S. territories like American Samoa, Guam, and Puerto Rico.