Democratic governors of California and Illinois are threatening to leave the National Governors Association because of their silence President Donald Trump’s developments of National Guard troops across state lines despite opposition from state leaders.
“What purpose does the National Governors Association serve if we are not coming together, based on the fundamental principles of national sovereignty of two parties?” California Governor Gavin Newsom asked in a letter to other governors of the country.
The Bipartisan Governors Group, founded in 1908, advocates for issues that hold meetings where governors can find common ground and exchange ideas. The independent Democratic and Republican Governors Associations gain more partisan positions and help with campaign financing.
with newsome Illinois Governor JB Pritzkerboth potential 2028 presidential candidates argue that Trump’s military deployment is a concern for all governors. But some Republican governors support Trump’s actions, and the national governors group has not taken a position.
“I’m not sure the policy question of whether the Constitution allows for federal involvement in the states is something the NGA wants to address,” said Missouri Gov. Mike Kehoe, a Republican who co-chairs the organization’s task force on emergency management and public health.
Democratic governors in Kansas, Michigan, and Minnesota have already left the NGA this year. Kansas Gov. Laura Kelly said she did not believe the nearly $100,000 in membership fees paid by the state was a good investment and encouraged the group to oppose the canceled federal aid.
Some Democrats see the Guard as reducing the role of the state
The bipartisan governor’s organization is far from the first to face division, and there are questions about how it should respond to the sweeping changes of Trump’s second term. Since returning to office, Trump has used executive power in ways presidents typically don’t.
This week he has I tried to expand Members of the Texas National Guard in Chicago and the California National Guard are guarding Portland, Oregon, protecting federal immigration facilities and personnel amid what Trump has described as an out-of-control crime. Democratic officials in those states are pleading for an effort similar to California’s. So far, the judges have Blocked deployment in Oregon But that hasn’t stopped it in Illinois.
Newsom and Pritzker argue that the National Guard deployment is not just a policy difference, but a violation of state sovereignty that must be condemned.
“The credibility of the National Governors Association, and our integrity as state executives, is based on our willingness to consistently apply our principles regardless of which administration attacks them,” Pritzker wrote to Gov. Kevin Stitt, chairman of the Oklahoma Governors Association, on Monday.
Stitt did not immediately respond Tuesday to a request for comment from The Associated Press. But he said at a news conference last month that the group should avoid areas where there is no consensus and defer to the Democratic Governors Association and Republican Governors Association.
Republican Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, who authorized the call-up of 400 Texas National Guard members, did not immediately respond to a request for comment Tuesday. On Monday, he posted a cartoon on his X account showing the Democratic governors of California, Illinois and New York telling Trump to “leave our crimes alone.”
Bipartisan groups don’t always weigh heavily
The National Governors Association bills itself as a beacon of bipartisanship. That means staying with many of the worst fights. Some topics on which the governors found common ground include disaster preparedness, workforce development and expanding broadband access.
Last week, Stitt, Maryland’s Democratic governor and 2028 presidential candidate, and NGA Vice Chairman Wes Moore denounced the extraordinary federal government shutdown at the time and called for dialogue, but not specific policy solutions.
But unity does not appear in Trump’s immigration and crime-fighting policies.
Democratic Connecticut Gov. Ned Lamont said in a statement that he opposes mobilization but is not ready to give up on the governor’s organization. “My hope is that NGA will continue to advocate for the best interests of the state,” he said.
Kehoe said no one asked him to sign a statement condemning the deployment of National Guard troops to the state against the governor’s will. Earlier this year, Kehoe successfully pushed through a state makeover of the St. Louis Police Department’s oversight board despite objections from Democratic mayors, citing crime as the justification.
“Chicago could certainly use some help,” Kehoe said. “We hope Governor Pritzker welcomes help to keep his citizens safe.”
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Associated Press writers John Hanna in Topeka, Kansas; Susan Hay of Hartford, CT; Trânnguyễn in Sacramento, California contributed to this report.
