Trump Omits Wes Moore, Nation’s Only Black Governor, From NGA Dinner

Maryland Governor Wes Moore, the nation’s only Black sitting governor and vice chair of the National Governors Association, criticized the Trump White House after finding out he was excluded from this year’s traditionally bipartisan National Governors Association dinner at the White House.

The decision breaks a decades-long tradition that has promoted federal-state cooperation.

The annual NGA winter meeting is set for Feb. 19-21 in Washington, D.C. It usually features a social dinner hosted by the president, attended by governors from both political parties.

This year, President Donald Trump has reportedly invited only Republican governors and rescinded invitations for two notable Democrats, including Gov. Moore of Maryland and Gov. Jared Polis of Colorado.

In a statement released Sunday, Moore expressed his disappointment at the decision. He called it a “snub to the spirit of bipartisan federal-state partnership.”

He remarked, “This week, I learned that I was uninvited to this year’s National Governors Association dinner—a decades-long annual tradition meant to bring governors from both parties together to build bonds and celebrate a shared service to our citizens with the President of the United States.”

Moore stated that his removal from the event was “hard not to see as another example of blatant disrespect.” He pointed out that his leadership role within the association showed trust from both Republican and Democratic governors.

“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,” Moore noted. This comment has received both support and criticism from political observers and commentators.

During an appearance on CNN’s State of the Union, Moore further expressed his frustration with the exclusion. He called the situation “particularly confusing” considering his recent bipartisan efforts with the administration.

Just weeks earlier, he led a group of Democratic and Republican governors to the White House to collaborate on lowering energy costs and strengthening the national grid.

The White House defended the invitation process. A spokesperson told Politico that “these are White House events and the President reserves the right to invite whomever he wants,” adding that “many Democrats were invited to dinner at the White House, and others were not.”

The NGA has distanced itself from the White House dinner. In communications with members obtained by The New York Times, NGA leadership indicated that the event would not be recognized as an official NGA gathering, and that no NGA resources would support transportation or sponsorship for the occasion.

Brandon Tatum, the acting executive director and CEO of the NGA, called the administration’s decision “damaging to federal-state collaboration.” He warned that politicizing a typically unified forum might weaken vital communication between governors and the executive branch.

Critics say this move represents a broader change in how political engagement is structured under the current administration. Concerns have arisen about its potential impact on bipartisan problem-solving in areas like education, infrastructure, and disaster preparedness.

Others argue that the optics of the exclusion carry significant symbolic weight, given the timing and Moore’s historic position.

Despite the controversy, Moore stated he remains committed to his role as governor and NGA vice chair. He emphasized his willingness to work with any administration on policies that benefit his constituents while standing firm against actions he considers divisive.