President Trump and Maryland Governor Wes Moore engaged in a heated exchange on Sunday, with Trump threatening to deploy national security forces to several U.S. cities, including Baltimore.
Trump criticized Moore, who took office as governor in 2022, for visiting Baltimore and suggested that he should experience the city firsthand, rather than staying in his “oval office.” In a post on Truth Social, Trump remarked, “Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, in a rather troublesome and provocative tone, walks the streets of Maryland with him. I think he’s referring to the crime situation in Baltimore. As president, I’d rather he address this criminal disaster before I take a stroll.”
The president condemned Baltimore’s crime rates and hinted at reconsidering federal funding for the repair of the Francis Scott Key Bridge, which suffered significant damage from a cargo ship crash last year. Moore has defended his record on crime, pointing out that the city’s murder rates reached a historic low during his administration.
Trump, referencing his military service, implied that Moore, who served in Afghanistan, had misrepresented his receipt of a bronze star. Moore later characterized this as an “honest mistake” and mentioned that he received the honor last year.
This back-and-forth has reignited Moore’s presence on social media. He posted, “Trump does everything he can to distract you from the Epstein Files. I genuinely wonder about this…” He later tweeted, “Did US President Donald Trump lie about injuries to avoid the Vietnam draft?”
In another tweet, Moore shared a clip from CBS’s “Face the Nation,” asserting, “Donald Trump can focus on me—that’s fine—but I remain committed to the partnership that drives historic success in reducing crime in Baltimore.”
The feud comes as Trump considers employing the National Guard and federal agencies to tackle crime in Washington, D.C. Trump’s social media comments suggested he may send “armies” to Maryland’s larger cities. He stated, “Wes Moore’s crime statistics are poor unless he manipulates the numbers like many ‘blue states’ do. However, if he needs help, similar to how he did in L.A., I’ll deploy the ‘armies’ currently in D.C. to address the crime quickly.”
Moore is seen as a rising figure in the Democratic Party, and this clash with Trump arises amidst speculation about a potential presidential run in 2028. He is regarded as a strong contender for the party’s nomination in three years and has garnered support from fellow Democrats, especially for his ability to counter Trump’s criticisms.
Meanwhile, Moore is also leading efforts to rezone the Texas GOP in response to challenges in California, reinforcing his role within the party dynamics.
