Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said he is 'very concerned' that former President Donald Trump may use federal power to interfere with the 2024 midterm elections, citing recent efforts to restrict voting by mail, access voter data, and deploy federal agents to polling sites.
Speaking as he assumes the role of chair of the National Governors Association (NGA) on Saturday, Moore framed his remarks as a call for states to safeguard elections under the U.S. Constitution. He emphasized that Trump’s actions are already underway, not hypothetical.
'I don't think that the president is trying to hide the ball on this,' Moore said. 'It's not even am I concerned about what the president could do? I'm concerned about what he's already doing in broad daylight.'
Moore, a potential 2028 Democratic presidential contender, dismissed speculation about a White House run, stating he will not 'get distracted' before the November elections. However, his recent travel to early primary states like South Carolina and Nevada has fueled such speculation. His national profile has risen as he prepares to lead the NGA, a bipartisan organization that includes governors from both parties.
As NGA chair, Moore outlined a national initiative called 'Service United', a $10 million program aimed at engaging young people in service-oriented work to strengthen communities. Moore, a U.S. Army veteran, framed the effort as a societal necessity, stating 'Service will save us as a society because I know service saved me.'
The NGA’s role in election oversight remains a key focus, with Moore suggesting the organization can help states resist federal overreach. His comments follow Trump’s repeated claims of election fraud and calls for increased scrutiny of voting processes, including mail-in ballots and voter registration databases.
Moore’s concerns align with broader Democratic warnings about Trump’s rhetoric and policy proposals, which some Republicans argue are justified responses to perceived election integrity issues. The debate over federal versus state control of elections has intensified in recent months, with no clear resolution in sight.