Maryland Governor Wes Moore shared today on social media that he was uninvited from the National Governors Association’s annual dinner with the President, calling the decision a troubling departure from a long-standing bipartisan tradition and a personal and professional snub.
The dinner has historically brought together governors from both parties to build relationships and recognize shared public service. Moore noted that the decision was particularly surprising given that governors from both parties recently selected him to serve as vice chair of the National Governors Association.
Moore said the exclusion was difficult to separate from broader concerns about respect for bipartisan federal-state partnerships. He added that, as the nation’s only Black governor, being singled out carried additional weight, regardless of whether race played an intentional role in the decision.
The governor pointed out that only weeks earlier, he participated in a bipartisan meeting at the White House focused on lowering energy costs and strengthening grid reliability. Moore said that meeting demonstrated what is possible when leaders prioritize outcomes over politics.
Despite the incident, Moore emphasized that his approach as governor will remain unchanged. He reiterated his willingness to work with the administration wherever collaboration can produce results for Marylanders, while making clear that cooperation does not mean submission.
“I promised the people of my state I will work with anybody but will bow down to nobody,” Moore said, adding that the decision to exclude him appears to reflect discomfort with that stance. The White House has not publicly commented on Moore’s claims.
