GOVERNORS GATHER IN WASHINGTON SEEKING TO MOVE BEYOND TRUMP’S PARTISAN INFLUENCE. (PHOTO).

Governors gather in Washington seeking to move beyond Trump’s partisan influence

 In past years, it would have been an ordinary sight in the nation’s capital. But in President Donald Trump’s Washington, a Republican and a Democrat sharing a stage in a show of mutual respect now stands out. Oklahoma Gov. Kevin Stitt and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore sat side by side, trading lighthearted remarks and compliments rather than partisan barbs, offering a rare moment of civility amid a deeply divided political climate. As leaders of the National Governors Association, one of the few remaining bipartisan forums in American politics, they sought to project cooperation even as tensions with the White House simmered.

That effort comes at a complicated time for the organization, which is holding its annual conference this week. Trump declined to invite all governors to the customary White House meeting and dinner, breaking with tradition and fueling friction. He has publicly criticized Stitt, calling him a “RINO,” and has clashed with Moore over a sewage spill tied to a federally regulated pipeline. The president’s second term has been marked by a more confrontational posture toward certain states, including withholding federal funds and deploying troops despite objections from local leaders. With Congress under Republican control and largely unwilling to curb executive authority, some governors have increasingly positioned themselves as a counterbalance to Washington.

Utah Gov. Spencer Cox argued that expanding executive power in recent administrations has shifted too much authority away from Congress, saying lawmakers need to focus more on governing than political theater. He suggested that states may need to “hold the line” in defending their authority. Moore similarly said governors occupy a unique position in the current environment, with the ability to act in ways others cannot. Despite the underlying strain, many governors maintained an upbeat tone during panels and interviews, emphasizing collaboration over confrontation.

Stitt described the gathering as “bigger than one dinner at the White House,” while Moore predicted a productive conference. Sitting together, Stitt noted that governors from opposite parties often agree on the majority of issues and can discuss disagreements constructively. Still, questions linger about whether that bipartisan spirit can endure beyond the conference. Trump’s public remarks that Moore and Colorado Gov. Jared Polis were “not worthy” of attending White House events highlighted the political uncertainty surrounding the week. For now, governors are attempting to preserve a space for dialogue, even as the broader political landscape grows more combative.