By James Williams, Editor

President Donald J. Trump has appointed Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro to the Council of Governors, a bipartisan group of state leaders focused on strengthening state-federal partnerships on national security, disaster response, and military coordination. The council, established by the National Defense Authorization Act of 2008 and formalized by Executive Order 13528 in 2010, serves as a vital forum for collaboration between governors and federal officials.

Alongside Shapiro, Trump’s latest appointments include Virginia Governor Glenn Youngkin, North Carolina Governor Josh Stein, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, Georgia Governor Brian Kemp, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry, Maryland Governor Wes Moore, Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, New York Governor Kathy Hochul, and South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster.

Many of these governors are widely considered potential contenders for the 2028 presidential election, making the council a politically influential body in the years ahead.

Governor Shapiro has positioned himself as a key Democratic leader, having frequently challenged Trump on major policy issues. He recently filed a lawsuit against the Trump administration, alleging an unconstitutional freeze of $1.2 billion in federal funding designated for Pennsylvania. Previously, as Attorney General, he took legal action against Trump’s policies on contraception coverage.

Maryland Governor Wes Moore, another rising star in the Democratic Party, was considered a top contender for the vice-presidential nomination on the Harris 2024 ticket.

Meanwhile,
Michigan Governor Gretchen Whitmer, a Rust Belt leader with strong voter support in a key swing state, has also been vocal in her opposition to Trump. She previously condemned Trump’s rhetoric, linking it to politically motivated violence, and criticized his proposed tariffs on Mexico and Canada, arguing they would harm the U.S. auto industry and benefit China. Whitmer’s prominent role at the Democratic National Convention (DNC) suggests strong backing from the party’s leadership. If she runs and wins, she could become the first female president and the longest-tenured member of the Council of Governors.

On the Republican side, Florida Governor Ron DeSantis, who ran in 2024, may mount another campaign in 2028. He shares several similarities with Trump, particularly in his conservative policies, combative political style, and hardline stance on immigration. DeSantis expanded Florida’s role in deporting undocumented immigrants and proposed mandatory death penalties for certain capital offenses, moves aligning with Trump’s strict immigration policies. Both leaders also maintain an adversarial relationship with the mainstream media, frequently accusing news organizations of bias.

With both Democratic and Republican frontrunners emerging from the Council of Governors, the 2028 presidential race is shaping up to be one of the most dynamic and competitive in recent history. Governors like Shapiro, Whitmer, Moore, and DeSantis are poised to play major roles, making this council a proving ground for the nation’s future leadership.

The Town Crier is a Rapid Response news blog that is written by James Williams and created in collaboration with ChatGPT. For research assistance and content editing.