Maryland's Democratic governor has signed a short-term contract with one of the world's largest risk management firms in preparation for Republican President-elect Donald Trump's move next door.
Governor Wes Moore has hired Accenture, an Irish IT and consulting firm with an estimated $60 billion in revenue, to be the eyes and ears for President Trump's return to Washington, D.C.
Two days after Trump was expected to win, Maryland signed a $190,000 contract.
Accenture consultants were tasked with analyzing how President Trump and Congressional Republicans could affect Maryland, including federal funding sent to the Anacostia River, as the new administration signals significant tightening. There is.
Moore: Democrats must win support from black voters
Maryland Governor Westley Moore (Getty)
The contract includes a section focused on the state's “identifying resources and efforts and considering potential avenues for legal challenges.”
The organization also seeks to track President Trump's policies and involvement with third-party organizations such as the Heritage Foundation, the newspaper said. baltimore sun.
Moore appeared to acknowledge that Maryland's interests may conflict with those of the White House, but suggested that his hiring of Accenture was not intended to create an overtly hostile relationship, as critics have suggested. did.
Moore's press secretary appeared to dismiss claims that the governor was trying to provoke a showdown, saying that leading the governor into a new Trump era requires “protecting constitutional rights, growing the economy, and trusting public servants.” He stated that there are four principles: [and] our institutions and democracy; ”
“Governor Moore stands ready to work with the incoming administration to ensure we achieve these goals, and where common ground can be found, we will find it. Not only as a matter of principle, but Governor Moore As a responsibility to the people.'' – Represented by the Miller administration. ”
The spokesperson said that hiring companies like Accenture is standard practice in the business world, and that given the “unique role” the federal government plays in Maryland's economy, there is no way to work with President Trump. He said it is important to fully understand what is best to do.
“It would be reckless of the Moore-Miller administration not to prepare for new policy directions taken by the federal government at a time when the state faces billions of dollars in potential liability.”
Black voters have an 'inherent skepticism': MD government Wes Moore
wes moore (Fox News – Paul Steinhauser)
Like Virginia and the District of Columbia themselves, Maryland has close ties to the federal government, which also accounts for just under 10 percent of the state's workforce.
Old Line State is home to the headquarters of several federal agencies. NASA's Goddard Space Center boasts a private exit off the Baltimore-Washington Parkway, the NIH campus is in Bethesda, and the FDA calls Silver Spring home.
Geographically, since Arlington and Alexandria traced back to Virginia in 1847, the remaining areas of the original federal district are also entirely former Maryland territory.
Fox News Digital has reached out to state House Minority Leader Jason Buckel (R-Cumberland) for comment.
Bakel said: Maryland problem He said the contract “is not in the best interest of Marylanders, especially under unified Republican control of the federal government,” and given Maryland's reported multibillion-dollar deficit, the contract is timely. He suggested that it was too early.
Washington, D.C. and Virginia are also focused on the sweeping changes the Trump administration could bring to the region.
CLICK HERE TO GET THE FOX NEWS APP
Maryland State Capitol in Annapolis (Getty)
District of Columbia Mayor Muriel Bowser requests a meeting with President Trump. According to FOX5DCMeanwhile, Virginia Gov. Glenn Youngkin, unlike the other two leaders, is a prominent Trump supporter and had few apparent concerns.
“With everything we do, we look forward to having the wind at our backs instead of in our faces, because we've gone from the depths of employment growth to near the top of the country. ,” Youngkin said.
But in Fairfax County, which, like Maryland's Prince George's and Montgomery counties, has a high proportion of federal employees, local government leaders warned of the impact.
Board of Supervisors Chairman Jeffrey McKay told FOX5DC that Fairfax must “prepare to address the potential impact of the new administration.”
He said a second term for President Trump would be “risky” and noted that Trump has a stated goal of “dismantling government bureaucracy.”
Accenture representatives called Fox News Digital back to Moore's office.
