White House Excluding Dems From Its Annual Governors Meeting

Governors’ offices learned Friday that a White House meeting around the upcoming National Governors Association weekend will only include Republicans — a break from its bipartisan past.

“The bipartisan White House governors meeting is an important tradition, and we are disappointed in the administration’s decision to make it a partisan occasion this year,” Brandon Tatum, acting executive director and CEO of the NGA, said in a statement. “To disinvite individual governors to the White House sessions undermines an important opportunity for federal-state collaboration.”

“At this moment in our nation’s history, it is critical that institutions continue to stand for unity, dignity, and constructive engagement,” Tatum added. “Traditionally the White House has played a role in fostering these moments during NGA’s annual meeting. This year, they will not.”

NGA is meeting this year from Feb. 19 to 21.

The NGA said in a Friday email to people involved in planning that the association’s leadership has decided the White House meeting will no longer be an association event. “No NGA resources will be used to support transportation for this activity," according to the email that was obtained by POLITICO.

The White House meeting with governors has been a tradition for decades, since at least President Lyndon Johnson. It is the same event where Democratic Maine Gov. Janet Mills got in an argument with President Donald Trump over transgender issues last year.

“This is unfortunate and disappointing because a number of Democratic governors have shown an openness to work together with the White House on common issues,” said a top aide to a Democratic governor, granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly. “And the White House is saying bipartisanship is not a worthwhile endeavor.”

Spokespeople for the White House didn’t immediately respond to a request for comment.

Sophia Cai contributed to this report.