Up First (NPR)

Special Edition: Oklahoma’s Governor on Trump, Immigration, and Tribal Lands

Date: February 26, 2026
Host: Steve Inskeep
Guest: Governor Kevin Stitt (Oklahoma, Chair of the National Governors Association, enrolled member of the Cherokee Nation)

Episode Overview

In this special episode, Steve Inskeep sits down with Oklahoma’s Governor Kevin Stitt for a wide-ranging conversation about the future of the Republican Party, friction with both President Trump and tribal leaders, immigration policy, the conundrum of state versus federal power, and Stitt's own identity as a Cherokee Nation member. The discussion hits on recent controversies at the National Governors Association, views on immigration reform, tribal sovereignty, and Stitt's vision for a post-Trump GOP.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. NGA Meeting Controversy and Federal-State Relations

[02:13–06:00]

• Trump’s Exclusion of Certain Governors: Stitt explains his opposition to President Trump’s attempt to exclude Democratic Governors Wes Moore (Maryland) and Jared Polis (Colorado) from NGA events at the White House, framing it as contrary to the purpose and tradition of bipartisan engagement within the NGA.
  • “The National Governor association is bigger than a single meeting… it was started… to bring Republican governors, Democrat governors together… We believe that the federal government should be limited and the power belongs to the states.” (Stitt, [03:03])
• Stitt’s Balancing Act of Roles: On managing his simultaneous responsibilities as an Oklahoma governor, Republican, and NGA chair, especially during friction with the President.
  • “I just simply said, hey, if it’s not going to include all the governors, I represent all 50 governors, we can’t facilitate it from the National Governor Association.” (Stitt, [03:56])
• Federal-State Relationships: Stitt stresses the importance of positive and cooperative state-federal relationships across different administrations.
  • “It’s important to have a good state-federal relationship...I sent all of my cabinet secretaries three times a year to meet with their federal counterparts.” (Stitt, [05:24])

2. Partisanship, Race, and the Exclusion of Governors

[06:00–09:43]

• On Excluding Governor Moore (Maryland):
  • Stitt denies any racial motivation and emphasizes bipartisan friendship.
  • “We agree on much more than we disagree… we can have great conversations about permitting reform, the need for reliable, affordable energy, immigration reform. We even agree we have to have a strong border.” (Stitt, [06:54])
  • On the idea that race played a role: “I don’t think so at all. I think there’s politics involved and I can’t speak to the reason, but no, I don’t think that has anything to do with it.” (Stitt, [07:58])
• On Trump Pressuring Governor Polis: Stitt frames it as presidential overreach and reaffirms state sovereignty.
  • “We have to believe in states’ rights, and I think that’s the big thing that really frustrates Americans right now.” (Stitt, [08:33])
  • “Where it’s state authority, that would be. That’d be what I would say.” (Stitt, [09:48])

3. Immigration: Enforcement, Reform, and Local Control

[10:12–14:55]

• Oklahoma’s Role: Stitt highlights Oklahoma’s ranking in turning over violent criminals to ICE but cautions against federal agents’ unilateral action in states.
  • “If the shoe’s on the other foot and the Biden administration would send federal agents into Oklahoma...Oklahomans would...be very, very frustrated.” (Stitt, [10:33])
• Proposed Solutions:
  • Advocates state-issued work permits for undocumented workers.
  • “Why are we not giving three-year work permits as long as you’ve got a job and an employer is vouching for you?...If you break the law, you’re out.” (Stitt, [11:25])
• Economic Impact of Removing Workers:
  • “It would be devastating...They’re like family...their kids go to school. They’re great people...let’s figure this out because it would devastate the different industries across the country.” (Stitt, [12:09–13:13])

4. Immigration, Elections, and Trust in the System

[15:39–18:28]

• Voter Fraud Concerns:
  • Stitt advocates for voter ID laws but acknowledges no widespread evidence of undocumented people voting in Oklahoma.
  • “I don’t think there’s a broad issue…even my Democrat governor colleagues, they’re not trying to get illegals here to turn them into voters...there’s some common ground.” (Stitt, [16:57], [17:40])
• Addressing Conservative Concerns:
  • Emphasizes the US as a “melting pot” and proposes state-level control over workforce permits to alleviate cultural anxieties.
  • “It’s been a melting pot for a long, long time. I get those concerns…That’s why we need to have workforce permits.” (Stitt, [18:04])

5. Education and Children of Undocumented Immigrants

[18:31–21:29]

• School Citizenship Disclosure: Stitt opposes requiring schoolchildren to disclose citizenship, highlighting a balanced, humane approach.
  • “We’re not going to pick on kids. I’m not going to make a first grader a criminal. And so when I saw that happening, I put a stop to that.” (Stitt, [19:04])
• Philosophy on Inclusion: Supports educating children whose parents are working and paying taxes, distances himself from punitive approaches to undocumented families.
  • “If you have a job and you’re working and a company is vouching for you...then of course we’re going to educate the kids. They’re paying taxes like everybody else.” (Stitt, [20:27])

6. Native Identity, Tribal Sovereignty, and Legal Fights

[21:52–29:09]

• Stitt’s Cherokee Heritage: Expresses pride in his Cherokee background but contends that policy shouldn’t be race-based.
  • “I don’t believe we should be divided based on race. I think we should be a meritocracy....I started my company with $1,000 and a computer. My parents weren’t wealthy and I created a company in America.” (Stitt, [22:52])
• Conflict with Tribes: Disputes over the McGirt Supreme Court ruling, taxation, and prosecution authority on tribal lands.
  • “What is the fundamental problem with that? ...Fundamental problem is...they’re saying that I don’t have to pay taxes if I live in Tulsa...but a person of another race has to....That, to me, is not fair....We can’t have two different systems based on your race.” (Stitt, [25:04–26:19])
• On Identity Fluidity: Questions the continued utility of race as a dividing line in policy and society.
  • “So it will just keep going...I think it’s an important question, what is race anymore? We’re all a little bit of something. And I just don’t believe we should be divided based on that.” (Stitt, [28:12])
• Fostering Unity: Stitt values meeting people from different backgrounds and encourages Americans to reach across lines of difference.
  • “When you break bread with others that are different than you...I love that...We’re all Americans. That’s what makes our country so great.” (Stitt, [29:11])

7. The Future of the Republican Party

[29:43–31:53]

• Vision for Post-Trump GOP: Argues for a re-centering on classic Republican values: limited government, less federal interference, entrepreneurial freedom, and stability instead of political pendulum swings.
  • “We’ve got to get back to integrity. We’ve got to get back to a limited federal government and putting states back in charge.” (Stitt, [30:50])
  • “We cannot be a pendulum swing where we are going back and forth and we’re killing different projects based on our political views.” (Stitt, [30:50])
• Condemnation of Political Retaliation: Criticizes both parties’ use of government agencies for political ends, referencing actions against Trump and concern about future retaliation.
  • “At the same sense, we can’t, when we get into power, we can’t politicize the Department of Justice. That’s just such a turnoff for Americans right now.” (Stitt, [31:23])

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• "We have to get back to integrity. We've got to get back to a limited federal government."

  • Kevin Stitt ([00:08])

• "That is un-American. We cannot be a pendulum swing where we are going back and forth and we're killing different projects based on our political views."

  • Kevin Stitt ([00:29], [30:50])

• "We need immigration reform now. And I think we're overthinking this issue."

  • Kevin Stitt ([10:57])

• "We're not going to pick on kids. I'm not going to make a first grader a criminal."

  • Kevin Stitt ([19:04])

• "I don't believe we should be divided based on race. I think we should be a meritocracy."

  • Kevin Stitt ([22:52])

• "We can’t have two different systems based on your race."

  • Kevin Stitt ([26:19])

• "It's so fun to get to know other cultures and other races and other people...We're all Americans. That's what makes our country so great."

  • Kevin Stitt ([28:42]–[29:11])

Important Timestamps

• NGA controversy & restoring bipartisanship — [02:13–06:00]
• On partisanship/exclusion of governors, race, and federalism — [06:00–09:43]
• Immigration enforcement and state workforce permits proposal — [10:12–14:55]
• Voter fraud conversation and state election control — [15:39–18:28]
• Education policy on undocumented children — [18:31–21:29]
• Tribal lands, McGirt decision, and Native identity — [21:52–29:09]
• Future of the Republican Party — [29:43–31:53]

Takeaways

• Governor Stitt presents himself as a pragmatist interested in bipartisan cooperation, state sovereignty, and policy stability.
• He advocates for state-based work permits to address labor shortages and move beyond polarized federal immigration politics.
• Stitt’s approach to tribal issues is controversial—he underlines his Cherokee identity but opposes legal divisions based on tribal sovereignty or race.
• He calls for the Republican Party to return to "integrity" and foundational conservative principles post-Trump, avoiding politicized governance.