Maryland Gov. Wes Moore on one power he’d take away from Trump (and himself) | Newsmakers

No defined mission or endgame for troop deployment

Moore states the deployment of his former unit, the 82nd Airborne, lacks clarity on objectives, victory conditions, or exit strategy, noting the President has offered nearly a dozen conflicting explanations.

Military force bypassed diplomatic options

As a combat veteran, Moore argues military intervention was not a last resort because diplomatic negotiations had not exhausted all options or demonstrated an imminent threat requiring immediate action.

Nation at war without presidential address

Moore emphasizes that despite being 'a nation at war,' President Trump has not addressed the nation to explain the conflict or asked Americans to sacrifice beyond bearing higher gas and food prices.

Key Bridge reconstruction ahead of schedule

Despite Trump's threats to cut funding, Maryland cleared the federal channel in 11 weeks rather than 11 months and achieved 70% design build in 14 months through partnership with Transportation Secretary Shawn Duffy.

Fiscal discipline with rising outcomes

Moore has passed four consecutive balanced budgets that reduced the general fund while achieving the fastest violent crime drops in the nation and increasing math and reading scores in every grade.

Equal opportunity over equal outcomes

Aligning with Republican Governor Kevin Stitt, Moore rejects the view that fairness requires everyone ending in the same spot, instead advocating for ensuring every American has a 'fair shot' through diverse education and career pathways.

Skepticism of philanthropy without policy change

Agreeing with Elon Musk's critique, Moore argues philanthropy often serves to make donors feel good rather than solve systemic problems, stressing that real change requires addressing bad policymaking rather than just writing checks.