As the National Governors Association (N.G.A.) winter meeting approaches, President Trump is breaking tradition.
This year, he will host only Republican governors at the White House. Democratic leaders, including Gov. Jared Polis of Colorado and Gov. Wes Moore of Maryland, will not be invited.
According to emails obtained by The New York Times, Democratic governors were informed Friday morning. “The president has decided to only invite Republican governors,” the N.G.A. message said. The organization made it clear that no N.G.A. resources would be used to support the event.
Brandon Tatum, acting chief executive of the N.G.A., spoke about the move. “To disinvite individual governors to the White House sessions undermines an important opportunity for federal-state collaboration,” he said.
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Trump will still host a separate, bipartisan dinner for governors and their spouses. But the White House session, which typically includes cabinet secretaries, will be Republican-only. The White House did not provide any explanation for excluding Moore or Polis.
Polis, who has clashed with Trump recently, has faced the president’s ire for refusing to pardon Tina Peters, a convicted election denier and Trump supporter. Last December, Trump vetoed a pipeline project in Colorado, saying Polis should “rot in Hell.”
Shelby Wieman, Polis’s spokeswoman, defended the governor. “Governor Polis has always been willing to work with anyone across the political spectrum who wants to help work on the hardest problems facing Colorado and America, regardless of party or who occupies the White House,” she said.
Moore has also criticized Trump’s policies, including National Guard deployments to address crime and immigration rules. David Turner, Moore’s spokesman, said, “Governor Moore is disappointed to be excluded but is undeterred from his work to serve the people of Maryland and as vice chair of the National Governors Association.”
The White House usually invites all governors to the annual N.G.A. winter meeting. On Friday mornings, there is a formal session with cabinet secretaries, and later a black-tie dinner for the governors and their spouses. This year, Trump’s choice to invite only Republican governors breaks the usual tradition of including both parties.
Trump has run into conflicts with governors at these meetings before. Last year, he clashed with Maine Gov. Janet Mills over his order banning transgender athletes from competing in women’s sports. Trump asked, “Are you not going to comply with that?” Mills responded, “I’m complying with the state and federal laws.”
Trump shot back, saying, “We are the federal law,” and threatened to withhold all federal funding from Maine. Mills responded firmly, “See you in court.” Trump added, “Good, I’ll see you in court. I look forward to that. That should be a real easy one. And enjoy your life after governor, because I don’t think you’ll be in elected politics.”
Mills is now running for the Senate, proving that clashing with Trump hasn’t ended her political ambitions.
Featured image via Political Tribune Gallery
