Feb. 10, 2026, 12:41 p.m. CT
Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker is one of 18 state governors who say they will boycott a White House meeting with President Donald Trump after he signaled he would exclude two of their colleagues.
The dinner hosting the National Governors Association, a nonpartisan group made up of all 50 state leaders, is set to take place in Washington from Feb. 19 to 21. Here’s what we know.
Why are Democratic leaders boycotting National Governors Association dinner?
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis were disinvited to the historically bipartisan gathering.
In a statement to USA TODAY, Democrats blasted Trump’s decision, saying it is the most recent example of a turbulent administration.
“Democratic governors have a long record of working across the aisle to deliver results and we remain committed to this effort,” the group of 18 governors said. “But it’s disappointing this administration doesn’t seem to share the same goal. At every turn, President Trump is creating chaos and division, and it is the American people who are hurting as a result.
“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. Democratic governors remain united and will never stop fighting to protect and make life better for people in our states.”
Which leaders are boycotting the event?
Democratic governors boycotting the event include many rumored 2028 presidential contenders, such as Kentucky Gov. Andy Beshear, who chairs the Democratic Governors Association; as well as Michigan Gov. Gretchen Whitmer, the group’s vice chair, and others leaders such as Pritzker, Gavin Newsom of California and Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania.
Some of the other state leaders who’ve tussled with the Trump administration on various issues, such as sending the National Guard and immigration officers into their states, also signed the statement, including Tim Walz of Minnesota.
Others who said they won’t attend the White House dinner are Tony Evers of Wisconsin, Maura Healey of Massachusetts, Kathy Hochul of New York, Laura Kelly of Kansas, Ned Lamont of Kansas, Michelle Lujan Grisham of New Mexico, Dan McKee of Rhode Island, Matt Meyer of Delaware, Janet Mills of Maine and Mikie Sherrill New Jersey.
Moore and Polis, the two Democrats who Trump excluded, are also boycotting.
How has the White House responded?
A White House official told USA TODAY earlier this week that many Democrats were invited to the dinner, and “others were not,” adding that the president reserves the right to “invite whomever he wants.”
Why were Moore and Polis uninvited?
The president has clashed with the two leaders on several occasions in recent years.
Trump last year butted heads with Moore over the president’s threats to send the National Guard into Baltimore, even suggesting at one point he could withhold funds to help with the rebuilding of the Francis Scott Key Bridge.
Trump has attacked Polis repeatedly and punished Colorado over the state’s imprisonment of Tina Peters. The former county clerk in Colorado was convicted of multiple crimes for letting someone access data from a secure voting system in an effort to prove unsubstantiated 2020 election conspiracies.
In recent weeks, Trump has blocked the completion of a major water pipeline in Colorado, pulled grant dollars from the state and moved to dismantle a major climate research center.
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