Maryland Gov. Wes Moore announced that he will not attend the upcoming National Governors Association (NGA) gathering at the White House, responding to remarks by President Donald Trump that Moore was “not worthy” of an invitation. The exchange has intensified a public dispute that is drawing attention to tensions between federal and state leaders.
Speaking in an interview with Norah O’Donnell, Moore rejected the president’s characterization. “You do not determine my worthiness,” Moore said. “God determines my worthiness. The people of Maryland determine my worthiness. They are who I answer to, not him.”
Moore, a Democrat and the nation’s only Black governor, emphasized that he remains open to working with the administration on policy issues but would not engage in what he described as personal attacks. “I will work with anyone, but I will bow down to no one,” Moore said. “If the point of the meeting is name-calling or tweets filled with lies and ignorance, then my answer is clear: no.”
When pressed on whether he would attend, Moore responded unequivocally: “I will not go. Absolutely not.”
The disagreement began after Moore revealed that he had been uninvited from the NGA dinner, a longstanding bipartisan tradition intended to foster cooperation between governors and the president. Moore, who currently serves as NGA vice chair, called the move “a blatant disrespect” to the spirit of bipartisan federal-state partnership.
Moore also noted the broader significance of the decision. “As the nation’s only Black governor, I cannot ignore the added weight of being singled out for exclusion,” he said.
The governor pointed out that the exclusion followed a recent bipartisan White House meeting focused on lowering energy costs and improving grid reliability. “That meeting demonstrated what’s possible when leaders stay focused on outcomes over politics,” Moore said, describing the decision as “especially confounding.”
Trump responded on social media, denying claims that the event was restricted to Republican governors. He stated that invitations were sent to all governors except two he deemed “not worthy,” naming Moore and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis. The president cited past controversies and criticized Moore’s leadership, while maintaining that governors from both parties were otherwise invited.
The annual NGA gathering has traditionally symbolized bipartisan engagement between state leaders and the White House. Moore’s exclusion — and his decision not to attend — has increased scrutiny over how those traditions are upheld amid heightened political divisions.
Despite the dispute, Moore said his governing approach would remain unchanged. “I will work with cabinet secretaries, agency heads — anyone — if it advances the priorities of the people of Maryland,” he said, stressing that cooperation and independence can coexist in public service.
