A White House meeting with the nation’s governors is back on after all members of the National Governors Association (NGA) received invitations, according to officials. The reversal comes after a period of uncertainty sparked by President Donald Trump’s criticism of several Democratic governors and the organization’s co-chair, Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt.
NGA Meeting Reinstated After Scheduling “Misunderstanding”
Stitt informed NGA members Wednesday that President Trump is inviting all governors of the 55 states and territories to a business breakfast on Friday, Feb. 20, at 8:30 a.m. EST. He cited a “misunderstanding in scheduling” and said Trump communicated that the event was always intended to include all governors.
The apparent change of plans followed Stitt’s Monday announcement that the NGA would no longer facilitate the White House meeting, due to the initial decision to invite only Republican governors and exclude Maryland’s Wes Moore and Colorado’s Jared Polis from a White House dinner. Both Moore and Polis have publicly disagreed with Trump.
“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 in a letter to NGA members on Monday.
A National Governors Association source confirmed that Democratic governors who were initially excluded had begun receiving invitations to the bipartisan event on Wednesday. A White House spokesperson also confirmed that all NGA members were invited to Friday’s meeting.
Trump Continues Criticism
Despite the reinstated invitations, Trump continued to express his displeasure Wednesday, posting criticism of Stitt, Moore, and Polis on his Truth Social platform. He accused Stitt of “incorrectly” stating his position on the meeting.
Trump claimed the invitations were sent to all governors “other than two, who I feel are not worthy of being there.” He specifically criticized Polis for blocking his efforts to pardon Tina Peters on state charges and Moore for his handling of the Francis Scott Key Bridge rebuilding and crime in Baltimore.
Trump also doubled down on his criticism of Stitt, who previously broke with the president on immigration enforcement. He referenced Stitt’s past reliance on his endorsement during a previous election.
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