A long-standing tradition of bipartisan cooperation among U.S. governors at White House meetings may be disrupted as President Trump is set to exclude several Democratic governors from the upcoming National Governors Association meeting. This year's annual gathering, established over a century ago during Theodore Roosevelt's administration, has faced criticisms after reports indicated that Democratic governors, including Wes Moore of Maryland and Jared Polis of Colorado, were not invited by the White House. The potential boycott by Democratic governors hinges on whether all governors receive invitations, aimed at maintaining the historical commitment to collaboration and dialogue between parties.

On October 10, 18 Democratic governors issued a joint statement criticizing the White House. They emphasized that if media reports about select invitations prove true, they would abstain from attending the meeting. This decision reflects widespread concern among Democratic leaders regarding the erosion of bipartisanship under the current administration, as it had been an essential venue for discussing pressing issues affecting various states. Trump's insistence on limiting attendance to Republican governors signifies a significant departure from previous practices and raises questions about the future of collaboration at these events.

The National Governors Association meeting has held significant historical importance since its inception in 1908, evolving into an annual event that fosters bipartisan dialogue. Trump is poised to break this over-100-year tradition of inclusivity, which has characterized these governor meetings since the 1960s when they became a regular occurrence initiated by President Lyndon Johnson. The upcoming gathering serves not only as a platform for policy discussions but also as a barometer for the state of political cooperation in a highly polarized climate.