Maryland Gov. Wes Moore Speaks Out Against Trump's Criticism

Moore says he has 'no desire' for 'beef' with the president, but feels 'bad' for Trump's 'really, really hard existence'.

Published on Feb. 25, 2026

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Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, a rising Democratic star, is pushing back against criticism from former President Donald Trump. Moore says he has no personal vendetta against Trump, but feels sorry for the former president, describing his existence as 'really, really hard'. Moore also discussed his efforts to redraw Maryland's congressional map to boost Democrats, as part of a nationwide redistricting battle.

Why it matters

The ongoing feud between Moore and Trump highlights the deep political divisions in the country, as well as the high stakes of redistricting battles that could shape the balance of power in Congress. As a prominent Black governor, Moore is also seen as a potential future presidential candidate, making his relationship with Trump and the Republican Party an important political dynamic.

The details

In an interview with the Associated Press, Moore discussed his meeting with Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries about redistricting in Maryland. Moore said he is simply asking for a vote in the state legislature, and will accept the outcome 'however the vote goes'. He also criticized Trump's involvement in state-level redistricting efforts, saying the former president is trying to 'make this pain permanent' through creative means. Moore dismissed Trump's criticism of a sewage spill in the Potomac River, saying the issue has 'nothing to do with' Maryland since the pipe is part of a federally regulated utility.

  • Moore met with Democratic House leader Hakeem Jeffries on Wednesday to discuss redistricting in Maryland.

The players

Wes Moore

The governor of Maryland and a rising star in the Democratic Party, frequently floated as a potential future presidential candidate.

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States, who has been critical of Moore and his efforts to redraw Maryland's congressional map.

Hakeem Jeffries

The Democratic leader in the U.S. House of Representatives, who met with Moore to discuss redistricting in Maryland.

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What they’re saying

“All we're asking for is a vote. And however the vote goes, however the vote goes. But that's democracy.”

— Wes Moore, Governor of Maryland (Associated Press)

“I don't look at it as I'm doing it because I'm trying to help a party per se. I'm doing it because I think we have an unchecked executive and right now Congress does not seem interested in actually doing its job and establishing real checks and balances.”

— Wes Moore, Governor of Maryland (Associated Press)

“This one would actually be comical if it weren't so serious. This is a Washington, D.C., pipe that exists on federal land. How this has anything to do with Maryland, I have no idea. I think he just woke up and just said, I hate Maryland so I'm just going to introduce them into a conversation. This literally has nothing to do with us, with the exception of the fact that when we first heard about what happened, that I ordered our team to assist Washington, D.C.”

— Wes Moore, Governor of Maryland (Associated Press)

“I know it's not for me. I have no desire to have beef with the president of the United States. I didn't run for governor like, man, I can't wait so me and the president can go toe to toe. I have no desire on that. But the fact that he is waking up in the middle of the night and tweeting about me, I just, I pray for him and I just feel bad for him because that has just got to be a really, really hard existence.”

— Wes Moore, Governor of Maryland (Associated Press)

What’s next

The Maryland state legislature will hold a vote on the proposed congressional redistricting map put forward by Gov. Wes Moore.

The takeaway

The ongoing feud between Gov. Wes Moore and former President Donald Trump highlights the deep political divisions in the country, as well as the high stakes of redistricting battles that could shape the balance of power in Congress. Despite the criticism, Moore is taking the high road, saying he has 'no desire' for 'beef' with the president and instead feels 'bad' for Trump's 'really, really hard existence'.