President Trump will host the annual governors’ meeting at the White House without inviting any Democratic governors, breaking a long-standing bipartisan tradition, according to officials familiar with the planning.
The annual gathering has historically included governors from both parties and is typically used to discuss shared priorities such as infrastructure, disaster response, public safety and economic development.
The decision to limit invitations to Republican governors marks a departure from past practice and is expected to draw criticism from Democratic leaders who say the meeting should remain bipartisan.
White House officials said the meeting will focus on policy coordination with governors aligned with the administration’s priorities and on advancing the president’s agenda at the state level. They did not provide details on whether Democrats would be invited to separate discussions.
Democratic governors criticized the move as divisive, arguing that cooperation between states and the federal government is essential regardless of party affiliation. Some Republicans defended the decision, saying the administration is entitled to set the agenda for its own meeting.
The move follows a series of partisan clashes between the White House and Democratic-led states over immigration enforcement, social policy and federal funding.
Critics said excluding Democrats risks undermining coordination on issues that affect all states, while supporters said the administration is prioritizing alignment with governors willing to implement its policies.
