Oklahoma Republican Gov. Kevin Stitt, leading a state that gave former President Donald Trump 66% of its vote in the 2024 election, offered a stark departure from the typical loyalist stance during an interview on Feb. 26 on Morning Edition. Stitt used his platform at the National Governors Association meeting in Washington, D.C., to stake out views that diverge publicly from Trump on immigration, governance and the future of the Republican Party.
Most elected Republicans have steered clear of direct criticism of Trump this year, even if they privately disagree with some policies, choosing instead to support his agenda in Congress or in statehouses. Stitt has bucked that trend by laying out his disagreements without abandoning the party or joining the so-called “never-Trump” movement. Trump, for his part, has used social media to label Stitt a “wiseguy,” among other critiques.
In the interview with Morning Edition host Steve Inskeep, Stitt said Republicans must “get back to integrity” and urged a more inclusive, principle-driven party. He framed his comments not as personal attacks but as a call for broader appeal and steadier governance. Stitt diverged sharply from Trump’s immigration strategy, especially on the question of mass deportation. He questioned the president’s determination to remove everyone in the country without legal status, saying the “endgame” for immigration policy must be clearer and more realistic.
“The president needs to tell us what’s the endgame,” Stitt said, adding that he did not believe “that’s what America wants.” He advocated for issuing work visas to people without legal status who are already employed and suggested that states play a larger role in immigration enforcement and policy solutions. The governor’s stance contrasts with Trump’s aggressive immigration enforcement approach and marks a notable public policy split within the Republican leadership.
As chair of the National Governors Association, a bipartisan body, Stitt acknowledged political tensions he faced this month when the White House initially invited only Republican governors to a meeting. Stitt pushed back, noting that the association represents all 50 governors, not just one party.
“The president can ask whoever he wants to the White House,” Stitt said. “But … if it’s not going to include all the governors … we can’t facilitate it from the National Governors Association.” The White House ultimately extended invitations to all governors, although two Democrats were not invited to a formal dinner. Stitt also criticized administration decisions that reversed federal actions taken by prior governments. He pointed to the Trump administration’s cancellation of a Rhode Island wind power project as an example of destructive policy swings and called for continuity in governance.
Stitt celebrated his Cherokee Nation heritage during the conversation and contrasted it with traditional Republican electoral strategies. He described Oklahoma’s diversity as a strength and said the party must attract a wider range of voters without abandoning core principles. His comments reflect a broader debate within the Republican Party over how to position itself in a post-Trump era — whether to double down on the former president’s approach or adjust to changing demographics and voter priorities.
However, Stitt’s vision puts him at odds with some conservative elements back home. For example, the Oklahoma Freedom Caucus, a bloc of hard-right state legislators, has pushed more stringent immigration policies and aligned more closely with Trump-style conservatism. Stitt’s public breaks with Trump on policy extend beyond this interview. In January, he criticized the administration’s immigration policies following a fatal shooting involving federal agents, suggesting the president was receiving “bad advice” and that mass deportation was not the answer.
And in 2025, Stitt reversed his support for a state plan to collect immigration status information for school enrollment, saying children posed no threat to public safety — an unusual position in Oklahoma politics and another policy area where he diverged from hard-line conservative proposals.
Stitt’s comments suggest a Republican leader willing to define a path separate from Trump’s influence. Whether other elected officials follow his lead remains unclear. Many Republicans continue to avoid public disagreements with the former president, preferring unity and electoral strategy over internal critique.
As the party grapples with its identity after Trump’s presidency, voices like Stitt’s highlight ongoing tensions between maintaining party loyalty and engaging in strategic self-reflection. His emphasis on integrity, bipartisanship and pragmatism could influence debates among GOP leaders as they shape their platform ahead of future elections.
Observers say Stitt’s nuanced approach may appeal to voters seeking stability and broader appeal, but it also risks alienating the conservative base that carried Trump to large margins in states like Oklahoma in 2024. Political analysts will watch closely whether Stitt’s stance attracts support within the party or deepens existing divides.
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