Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said Tuesday he was not invited to a White House event for governors, marking an unusual exclusion from a meeting typically open to state executives from both parties. The Democratic governor confirmed the omission during a public appearance, stating he learned of the event through news reports.
The White House hosted Republican governors for a policy discussion on Monday. Moore noted that while he respects the president's prerogative to meet with whomever he chooses, he remains ready to work with the administration on issues affecting Maryland residents.
What the Right Is Saying
Republican officials defended the president's decision to meet with GOP governors, noting that such targeted meetings allow for more focused policy discussions. White House officials said the administration maintains regular communication with governors from both parties through established channels.
Conservative commentators argued that presidents have historically held separate meetings with governors from their own party to discuss legislative strategy and policy implementation. They noted that Democratic presidents have similarly met with Democratic governors without including Republicans.
What the Left Is Saying
Democratic officials characterized the exclusion as part of a broader pattern of partisan governance. Maryland Democratic Party officials said the move reflects an administration unwilling to work across party lines on issues that affect all Americans regardless of political affiliation.
Progressive commentators noted that previous administrations from both parties typically included all governors in White House meetings, viewing such gatherings as opportunities for bipartisan cooperation on federal-state issues like infrastructure, disaster relief, and economic development.
What the Numbers Show
Maryland is one of 23 states with a Democratic governor, while 27 states have Republican governors. The National Governors Association, which includes all 50 state executives, typically meets with presidents twice annually for bipartisan policy discussions.
Moore won his 2022 election with 60.7% of the vote, carrying Maryland by more than 30 percentage points. President Trump lost Maryland in both 2020 and 2024 by similar margins.
The Bottom Line
The exclusion highlights ongoing tensions between the White House and Democratic state leaders. Moore said he remains focused on governing Maryland and will continue seeking federal partnerships on transportation, defense installations, and Chesapeake Bay restoration regardless of whether he receives White House invitations. The next National Governors Association meeting is scheduled for July.