The Democratic governors of California and Illinois have issued a stern warning to the National Governors Association (NGA), threatening to exit the organization over its silence regarding President Donald Trump’s controversial deployment of National Guard troops across state lines. Governors Gavin Newsom and JB Pritzker argue that this federal action undermines state sovereignty and should concern all governors.
In a letter addressed to fellow governors, Newsom questioned the NGA’s effectiveness: “If we cannot come together, on a bipartisan basis, on this basic principle of state sovereignty, what purpose does the National Governors Association serve?” The NGA, established over a century ago, focuses on fostering bipartisan cooperation among governors and facilitating discussions on common issues.
Despite their democratic affiliations, both Newsom and Pritzker are viewed as potential candidates for the presidency in 2028. They maintain that Trump’s deployment of troops deserves a collective response from the NGA, yet some Republican governors support Trump’s actions, leading to a lack of consensus within the association.
Republican Missouri Governor Mike Kehoe, who co-chairs the NGA’s task force on emergency management, expressed skepticism that the NGA would tackle such contentious issues. This raises concerns about the organization’s relevance in addressing issues critical to state governance.
Several Democratic governors have already opted to leave the NGA this year, with Kansas Governor Laura Kelly dismissing the association's annual dues as a poor investment while urging for more advocacy against federal grant cancellations.
Democratic Concerns Over State Sovereignty
The ongoing debate surrounding the National Guard deployments has revealed deeper divisions among governors, particularly as Trump’s presidency undergoes significant scrutiny. Recently, he attempted to dispatch Texas National Guard members to assist in Chicago with the claim of handling rising crime rates.
Legal challenges have arisen in response to these deployments, with Democratic officials in affected states taking action. Newsom and Pritzker assert that the issue extends beyond simple policy disagreement; it represents a direct challenge to state authority and governance.
Pritzker communicated the importance of the NGA's integrity in addressing these federal actions, asserting that governors must stand firm on their principles, regardless of the administration's position. Meanwhile, Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, chair of the NGA, has suggested avoiding contentious issues where consensus is lacking, opting to leave such matters to the individual party associations.
Amidst calls for more bipartisan discourse within the NGA, neither uniformity nor consensus has been achieved on pivotal issues such as Trump's immigration policies. Kehoe’s remarks reveal a split in belief systems among the governors, indicating that not all see the deployment as a violation of state sovereignty.
As discussions within the NGA continue, the stance of its members will likely shape the organization’s influence in addressing shared state concerns moving forward.
