Maryland Governor Wes Moore has voiced significant apprehension that President Donald Trump may leverage federal authority to interfere with the upcoming midterm elections as the president seeks to maintain his influence. Moore, who is poised to assume the chairmanship of the National Governors Association (NGA), a bipartisan group, cited concerns over Trump's past actions, including efforts to restrict mail-in voting, obtain state voter data, and the possibility of deploying federal agents to polling locations.
"I don't think that the president is trying to hide the ball on this," Moore stated in an interview. "It's not even am I concerned about what the president could do? I'm concerned about what he's already doing in broad daylight."
As his national profile grows with his leadership role in the NGA, Moore, a Democrat and potential 2028 presidential contender, is focused on his agenda for the association. His centerpiece initiative, "Service United," aims to build communities and engage young people in the workforce through service-oriented programs, an effort that has garnered bipartisan support, including from Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt, the outgoing NGA chair. Stitt specifically praised the program's apprenticeship model for connecting young people with workforce learning.
However, Moore acknowledged the significant partisan divides that challenge the NGA's traditional bipartisan function. He highlighted public frustration with government responses to workforce changes, exacerbated by advancements in artificial intelligence, and suggested the White House has complicated these issues. Moore emphasized the need for clear pathways to long-term wages and wealth for all individuals, regardless of their educational pursuits.
Moore also detailed a strained relationship with President Trump, recalling an instance where Trump reportedly attempted to bar him and Colorado Governor Jared Polis from an NGA meeting, an action that was ultimately resolved with Stitt's intervention. Moore suggested that the president consistently views national security and the country's future through an ideological lens.
Internally, Moore is also navigating divisions within the Democratic Party. He is seeking reelection in Maryland and has faced challenges with the state legislature. Nationally, the Democratic Party is experiencing internal debate over its ideological direction, with some progressive candidates winning primaries. Moore has refrained from taking a firm stance on these intra-party disputes, asserting that voters should ultimately decide their party's nominees.
He clarified his own positions on key issues, stating, "I know where I am on issues. I don't believe in abolishing the police. I don't believe in abolishing prisons. I don't believe in open borders."
The governor anticipates that managing the NGA's upcoming elections without compromising its bipartisan tone will be a significant challenge. He faces the task of balancing Republicans' calls for stricter voting rules with Democrats' warnings about voter suppression. North Carolina Governor Josh Stein, a Democrat, echoed Moore's concerns about federal interference, noting that "all the signals are very worrisome."
In response to concerns about election security, White House spokeswoman Abigail Jackson stated that Democrats should pass the SAVE America Act, a bill requiring proof of citizenship for voting. Stitt, while supporting the bill and affirming that states should control their elections, expressed confidence that states would conduct elections without federal intervention.
Moore reflected on how the Trump era has reshaped his perspective on states' rights, reinforcing the importance of strong gubernatorial leadership.