ISTANBUL

A group of Democratic governors warned Tuesday they may boycott a traditional White House dinner during the National Governors Association (NGA) winter meeting after reports that US President Donald Trump excluded several governors from the guest list.

“If the reports are true that not all governors are invited to these events, which have historically been productive and bipartisan opportunities for collaboration, we will not be attending the White House dinner this year,” the members of the Democratic Governors Association said in a joint statement.

The NGA winter meeting is scheduled for Feb. 19–21 in Washington.

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, the NGA’s vice chair and one of those reportedly not invited, called the move “petty,” telling The Washington Post, “He’s trying to exclude me from an organization that he didn’t make me a part of.”

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt defended the decision, saying the president “can invite whomever he wants to dinners and events,” adding: “If they don’t want to, that’s their loss.”

The dispute has heightened tensions around what has long been a bipartisan tradition, bringing governors from both parties together with the president.