Maryland candidate Wes Moore labels himself a dedicated soldier for the state, following his controversial trip to George Clooney's villa
In a series of recent developments, Maryland Governor Wes Moore has expressed his opposition to President Donald Trump's plan to deploy the National Guard as a police force in Democratic-run cities, including Baltimore.
Despite Trump's assertion that he will carry out this plan, regardless of whether governors call for troops, Governor Moore has made it clear that he will defend his state against this threat. This stance comes after exclusive pictures showed Governor Moore enjoying a vacation in Italy, sparking criticism from Trump.
Trump has repeatedly expressed concerns about the safety of Baltimore, labelling it an "unsafe place" and a "hell hole." However, statistics paint a different picture. Baltimore has seen a significant decrease in homicides and non-fatal shootings. As of July 1, 2022, the city recorded 68 homicides, marking a 22% year-over-year decrease. Non-fatal shootings have also decreased by 19%.
In 2024, Baltimore had the sixth highest murder rate per capita in the United States, at 34.8 per 100,000 residents. Yet, in comparison to other cities, Baltimore's murder rate was lower than that of Washington, D.C., which stood at 27.9 per 100,000 residents.
Trump has suggested that governors like Moore and Illinois Governor J.B. Pritzker should ask him to send troops to patrol their states' biggest cities. However, Governor Moore has been a staunch opponent of these plans, stating that he will resist the White House's desire to send National Guard troops into Baltimore to drive crime down.
Besides Maryland and Illinois, President Trump announced plans to send the National Guard to Washington D.C., Los Angeles, and Memphis (Tennessee) to combat crime in major cities. Chicago (Illinois) and Baltimore (Maryland) were specifically named alongside these cities.
Trump has also declared a crime emergency in Washington, D.C. and activated hundreds of National Guard troops. Governor Moore, however, has emphasised that his actions are in defense of Marylanders, not as a personal fight against Trump.
While on vacation, Governor Moore did not put his Lieutenant Governor in charge of his duties, a decision that may have contributed to the controversy surrounding his trip. Despite this, his commitment to defending Maryland and its citizens against Trump's plans remains unwavering.
The vacation included a stay at a villa owned by George Clooney, adding an unexpected twist to the ongoing political drama. As the situation continues to unfold, Governor Moore's resolve to protect his state from federal intervention remains steadfast.
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