Trump Clashes with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore Over Immigration Crackdown

Maryland leaders push back against federal immigration enforcement with new legislation

Published on Feb. 13, 2026

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Maryland leaders, including Governor Wes Moore, have repeatedly clashed with the Trump administration over immigration enforcement policies. This has led to the introduction of state legislation banning local cooperation agreements with Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE), as well as a measure allowing civil lawsuits against federal agents for constitutional rights violations. The tensions have boiled over, with President Trump lashing out at Governor Moore on social media and disinviting him from a bipartisan event.

Why it matters

The clash between Maryland's state government and the Trump administration highlights the ongoing political tensions over immigration enforcement, with states and the federal government at odds over policies and the role of local law enforcement. The legislation introduced in Maryland aims to limit federal immigration actions, while the Trump administration seeks to maintain its crackdown, leading to a standoff that could have significant implications for residents and communities.

The details

Maryland has introduced several bills to push back against the Trump administration's immigration policies, including a measure banning local cooperation agreements with ICE and the "No Kings Act" allowing civil lawsuits against federal agents. This comes as President Trump criticized Governor Wes Moore on social media and disinvited him from a bipartisan event. Protests have also erupted across the state, with students walking out of school to demonstrate against the federal immigration crackdown.

  • On Thursday, the Maryland legislature sent a bill banning local cooperation agreements with ICE to the governor's desk.
  • On Wednesday, Governor Moore condemned Trump's immigration policies in his State of the State address.
  • Hours after Moore's address, Trump lashed out at him on Truth Social, calling him "foul mouthed" and Baltimore a "crime disaster."

The players

Wes Moore

The Democratic governor of Maryland who has repeatedly clashed with the Trump administration over immigration enforcement policies.

Donald Trump

The former president of the United States who has taken a hardline stance on immigration and criticized Governor Moore and Maryland's policies.

Patty Morin

A Maryland resident who pleaded with Governor Moore not to sign the legislation banning local cooperation agreements with ICE, citing the death of her daughter at the hands of someone who illegally entered the U.S.

Justin Ready

A Republican state senator in Maryland who criticized the legislation banning local cooperation agreements with ICE as "short-sighted."

Erica Carpenter

A protester in Washington County, Maryland who expressed frustration with the federal government's plans to convert a warehouse into a new ICE detention center.

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What they’re saying

“We can't allow it to happen, and we have to stand up for our neighbors. We don't know what else to do because what can we do? We've tried. We show up. We speak up. We ask our questions. They shut us out.”

— Erica Carpenter, Protester

“If ICE can't work through your local law-enforcement effectively in a documented process, they're going to be sending more people to find the people who really are the dangerous criminal illegal immigrants.”

— Justin Ready, Republican State Senator

“I'm really so very angry that Gov. Moore would do something like this instead of thinking about the families who have paid the ultimate price in losing their children.”

— Patty Morin

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Walker Reed Quinn out on bail.

The takeaway

This case highlights growing concerns in the community about repeat offenders released on bail, raising questions about bail reform, public safety on SF streets, and if any special laws to govern autonomous vehicles in residential and commercial areas.