Good morning and welcome back to the Wolf’s Den. It’s Friday, February 20th and we have two major developing stories for you.
Donald Trump tried to turn a routine governors gathering into a loyalty test — and this time, even Republicans pushed back.
And this is happening with the backdrop of a potential conflict with Iran due to Iran’s unwillingness to heed Trump’s latest set of demands; an end to their nuclear program, their ballistic missile program and funding for their terrorist proxies.
I will break down everything you need to know below.
But before I continue, I want to thank you for your support. Because of you, I am able to report on the news in a way that does not water down the facts or run away from the most challenging stories. I am able to report on them clearly in a way that maintains editorial independence. If you believe that work is important, please join our community by subscribing.
Okay, let’s get into it.
In the latest example of Trump shattering basic governing norms, the National Governors Association gathering was thrown into chaos after Trump reportedly moved to exclude Democratic governors from customary White House meetings tied to the event. What should have been a standard bipartisan opportunity for state leaders to meet with a president became yet another made-for-TV stunt built around division, grievance, and political retaliation.
But here’s the part that matters: Republican Governor Kevin Stitt, the Republican co-chair of the National Governors Association, refused to go along with it.
That’s not nothing. In this political moment, where too many Republican officials fold instantly under pressure, Stitt did something simple and important: he defended the idea that governors should be able to meet with the president regardless of party.
That’s called governing.
Stitt made clear that every governor has a responsibility to advocate for their state and meet with the president about issues affecting their constituents — and that access shouldn’t be blocked because of political affiliation. That is exactly right. Whether a governor is a Democrat or Republican, they represent millions of Americans who deserve to have their needs heard.
And this is where Trump’s approach becomes so dangerous.
Presidents are supposed to work with all states. They don’t just serve the people who voted for them. They don’t get to treat public institutions like a private club where only loyalists are welcome. The White House is not a campaign rally. It is supposed to be the center of government.
Instead, Trump once again tried to govern through humiliation and exclusion.
So Trump, in the face of bipartisan opposition, backed down. He decided to invite Democratic and Republican Governors but oddly chose to exclude Governor Wes Moore (D-MD) and Jared Polis (D-CO). This only escalated the situation. It was yet another move that made the political targeting even more obvious. But again, Governor stood his ground.
That pressure mattered.
Ultimately, Trump was forced to backtrack and include ALL Democratic governors. That matters too. It’s a reminder that when leaders stand up — even leaders from the other party — Trump can be forced to retreat.
That’s one of the biggest lessons here.
Too many Americans are feeling exhausted, anxious, and discouraged right now. It can feel like every norm is being bulldozed in real time. But this moment is a reminder that the system still depends on people making choices. Kevin Stitt made one. He chose institutional integrity over partisan obedience.
And Governor Wes Moore’s response matters as well. As you noted, Moore declined to attend after originally being excluded — a clear refusal to legitimize disrespect after the fact. That’s spine. That’s leadership.
Democrats should be talking about this more: government is supposed to work for everyone. It’s supposed to deliver services, solve problems, and respect voters no matter who they supported in the last election. That’s not a partisan message. That’s the foundation of a functioning democracy.
Trump tried to make this about power. Instead, it became a reminder that leadership still exists — and that when people stand together, even the most petty abuses can be beaten back.
I will continue to keep you up to date on the latest.
-Ethan
