Why These Democratic Governors Are Boycotting the White House Dinner

Several Democratic Governors intend 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 (DGA) 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. “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,” the organization said. “Democratic Governors remain united and will never stop fighting to protect and make life better for people in our states.” The DGA statement, which also accused Trump of “creating chaos and division,” was co-signed by 18 Governors: Gov. Andy Beshear of Kentucky, Gov. Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan; Gov. Tony Evers of Wisconsin; Gov. Maura Healey of Massachusetts; Gov. Kathy Hochul of New York; Gov. Laura Kelly of Kansas; Gov. Ned Lamont of Connecticut; Gov. Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico; Gov. Dan McKee of Rhode Island; Gov. Wes Moore of Maryland; Gov. Matt Meyer of Delaware; Gov. Janet Mills of Maine; Gov. Gavin Newsom of California; Gov. Jared Polis of Colorado; Gov. JB Pritzker of Illinois; Gov. Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania; Gov. Mikie Sherrill of New Jersey; Gov. Tim Walz of Minnesota. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the President’s authority over the guest list when asked about the matter on Tuesday. “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,” she said. “He welcomes all those who received an invitation to come. And if they don’t want to, that’s their loss.” TIME has contacted the White House for comment. A spokesperson for Polis’ office told TIME on Wednesday: “Governor Polis and other Governors are focused on delivering results for our states, not playing games.” Moore, who serves as the vice chair of the NGA, called the move a “blatant disrespect and a snub to the spirit of bipartisan federal-state partnership” in a statement on Sunday. “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,” he said. The NGA’s annual gathering, long considered to be of Washington’s most cherished bipartisan traditions, is due to take place on the weekend of Feb. 19–21. In a significant break from tradition, a White House meeting between Trump and Governors, timed to the annual gathering, will only include Republicans. An NGA representative confirmed to TIME that the association will no longer host this year’s formal meeting with the President due to the White House’s refusal to include members of the Democratic Party. In a letter obtained by the Associated Press, NGA chair Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt confirmed that the White House intended to limit invitations to the association’s annual business meeting, scheduled for Feb. 20, to Republicans only. “Because NGA’s mission is to represent all 55 Governors, the Association is no longer serving as the facilitator for that event, and it is no longer included in our official program,” Stitt wrote. Brandon Tatum, the NGA’s interim CEO, said last week that the meeting is an “important tradition” and the organization is “disappointed in the Administration’s decision to make it a partisan occasion this year.” The episode comes amid broader strain within the NGA. Over the past year, several Democratic leaders have pressed the organization to take a more vocal stance against certain moves by the Trump Administration. California Gov. Gavin Newsom and Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker previously threatened to withdraw from the organization after Trump deployed National Guard troops to their states without the request or approval from local leadership.