President Trump and Maine Governor come under fire over transgender athlete deal
President Trump and Maine Governor Janet Mills clashed over Trump’s order banning transgender athletes from women’s sports.
The National Governors Association will not attend a meeting with President Donald Trump later this month after the White House excluded Democratic governors, President Kevin Stitt told members Monday, according to sources.
Governors from all over the country gather in Washington every year for the NGA conference. Traditionally, the president welcomes governors to the White House, where they meet with Cabinet members and have formal dinners with the governors and their wives.
“Not inviting individual governors to the White House meeting undermines an important opportunity for federal-state cooperation,” Brandon Tatum, CEO of the bipartisan association representing governors, said in a statement.
“At this point in our nation’s history, it is critical that our institutions continue to maintain unity, dignity, and constructive engagement.”
The White House did not respond to Reuters’ request for comment.
The White House meeting, scheduled for February 20, was scheduled as part of the association’s annual winter gathering. The association’s leadership is comprised of nine members, including Mr. Stitt, a Republican, and Maryland Governor Wes Moore, a Democrat, who serves as vice president.
The New York Times reported last week that President Trump plans to hold a separate bipartisan dinner for state governors and their spouses at the White House.
However, the newspaper reported that Trump personally rejected invitations from Moore and Democratic Colorado Gov. Jared Polis, who is also a member of the association.
“The National Governors Association has a long tradition of bipartisan gatherings to exchange best practices and ideas, regardless of party affiliation. That’s what Americans expect and deserve, but unfortunately the White House doesn’t seem to feel the same way,” Moore’s press secretary David Turner said.
A spokesperson for Polis did not respond to a Reuters request for comment.
(Reporting by Jasper Ward in Washington; Editing by Michelle Nichols and Mark Heinrich)
