Governor Maura Healey has announced her decision not to attend a White House meeting on Friday and a dinner on Saturday with fellow governors, attributing her absence to what she describes as President Trump’s politicization of the event. The gatherings, organized by the National Governors Association during their winter conference, have become contentious this year after Trump initially invited only Republican governors and excluded Democratic ones.
Healey expressed her disappointment in a statement, noting, “For years, Governors of both parties met with Presidents of both parties annually. This has always been an important opportunity for us to discuss the most pressing issues facing our country and how we can work together on solutions. But it should come as no surprise to anyone that President Trump has completely politicized this.” She emphasized the importance of maintaining respect for the dignity of the presidency.
The governor underscored her commitment to bipartisan cooperation, highlighting her administration’s achievements in passing tax cuts, a major housing bill, and a jobs bill with support from both parties. However, she indicated that if the current administration is not open to serious discussions about addressing the needs of the American public, she would rather abstain from the gatherings.
Following the initial exclusion of Democratic governors, Healey, along with 17 others, declared they would not attend the events. In a unified statement, they lamented the lack of collaboration fostered by the Trump administration, which they claimed has been creating division rather than fostering unity.
In a twist, Trump later extended invitations to all Democratic governors except Colorado’s Jared Polis and Maryland’s Wes Moore, whom he publicly deemed “not worthy of being there.” While some Democratic governors, including Connecticut’s Ned Lamont and Maine’s Janet Mills, have chosen to attend the meeting but skip the dinner, Healey remains firm in her stance.
Healey’s office confirmed that she will still participate in the National Governors Association Winter Meeting on Thursday, reaffirming her dedication to productive governance and bipartisan dialogue. This situation highlights ongoing tensions within the political landscape, showcasing differing commitments to working collaboratively for the benefit of constituents across the nation.