The transcript below features an interview with Maryland Governor Wes Moore, a Democrat, which aired on “Face the Nation with Margaret Brennan” on March 16, 2025.
MARGARET BRENNAN: We now turn to Maryland’s Democratic governor, Wes Moore, who is joining us this morning from Annapolis. Welcome back to Face the Nation.
GOV. WES MOORE: Thank you. It’s a pleasure to be here again.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Your state hosts the Port of Baltimore, one of the largest ports in the nation. The President has implemented significant tariffs, with plans to enact a 25% tariff on goods from Canada and Mexico starting April 2. When do you expect to see this affecting shipping volume, and what will it mean for your state’s economy?
GOV. WES MOORE: We are already witnessing the consequences of these poorly considered tariff policies. Tariffs are supposed to be a tool, not an ideology, but this administration seems to be applying them as an ideological weapon. Decisions are being made without our input; they’re being enacted upon us. The Port of Baltimore, one of the most efficient ports in the country and the largest for roll-on, roll-off vehicles, is experiencing the adverse effects of tariff policies, particularly impacting our farmers in the Eastern Shore. This unpredictability and erratic decision-making are driving up costs and seriously harming our businesses, especially our small enterprises. It’s affecting our economic capacity and national security. This erratic governance, which people feared, is now manifesting in real-time within our states.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Maryland was one of 20 states that legally challenged the Trump administration’s decision to eliminate 1,300 jobs at the Education Department. How do you decide which issues warrant legal action? Is litigation the Democrats’ only recourse?
GOV. WES MOORE: It’s certainly not our only option. The numerous executive actions from this administration fall into three categories: ineffective, performative, or illegal. When actions are illegal, we will pursue legal action to ensure accountability for decisions that the President unilaterally lacks the authority to make. Recently, I’ve signed executive orders to support law enforcement and first responders with pay raises. While the federal government continues to undermine public servants, we are increasing initiatives like reducing prescription drug costs and creating partnerships to expand housing inventory, all in stark contrast to federal actions. While litigation is one vital tool that we will use alongside our Attorney General for federal oversteps, we are steadfastly committed to deploying every resource to safeguard Marylanders and ensure economic relief.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Last Friday, during his visit to the Justice Department, President Trump announced that the FBI headquarters will not be relocated from Washington, D.C. to Maryland, referring to our state as “liberal” and announcing his decision to halt the move. Your office previously anticipated this relocation would create 7,500 jobs. Have you attempted to reach out to the White House to dissuade them from this decision?
GOV. WES MOORE: Ironically, I learned about that announcement through the news. That reflects the kind of partnership—or lack thereof—this administration has with governors and chief executives nationwide. This decision is a direct assault on law enforcement and the FBI. Maryland has gone through a fair competition process over the last decade and presented itself as the only site-ready location for the new FBI building. We can provide critical national security assets, particularly in cyber, and we have transportation systems in place to support the workforce effectively. Moving it elsewhere would cost taxpayers over a billion dollars more than what we’ve prepared in Maryland. The site is ready for development, but the President has chosen to politicize national security issues.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Have you made efforts to contact him? Have you called the White House?
GOV. WES MOORE: We’ve attempted to reach out previously, but there hasn’t been a response. It underscores a relationship where I discovered this news via a news bulletin rather than direct communication from the White House.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Do you take what he said at face value?
GOV. WES MOORE: I believe the President believes he has that authority. However, such decisions are ultimately congressional responsibilities concerning the allocation of federal agency resources. The GSA determined that the FBI building should be built in Maryland after a thorough process. I am certain that the President thinks he has the capacity to make this determination, but the ultimate authority lies elsewhere.
MARGARET BRENNAN: I want to discuss a speech you gave last night at the Gridiron Dinner, where you highlighted the dignity of federal workers. You commented on your party’s challenges, referencing its leadership’s age and the need for renewed vision. Is age the core issue for your party, or is it a deficiency in vision? Is there a reset in progress to address this?
GOV. MOORE: It’s crucial to clarify who we represent and the vision we present. Consider the turmoil surrounding the potential federal government shutdown—its repercussions would have devastated Maryland’s economy and downgraded our credit rating. Thousands of federal employees would also face layoffs or furloughs. Despite these dire implications, we did not provide an alternative or articulate our position effectively. This void can naturally lead to frustration among the American people. In Maryland, we are striving to protect our federal workers and funnel them into available private and state sector jobs. We’re boosting unemployment insurance and taking significant steps to reduce prescription drug prices and increase housing availability, thereby lowering housing costs. Our endeavors seek to champion the interests of our residents, as they are discerning who is advocating for them.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Some members of your party in Congress presented alternative proposals. Were they ignored? Do you perceive a lack of leadership?
GOV. MOORE: I see no distinction in leadership. Many Americans probably perceive no difference either. If citizens do not hear viable alternatives or see decisive advocacy on their behalf, they might regard it as mere theatrics. Performative politics exhausts the public; they simply desire actionable results, which we are committed to delivering in Maryland.
MARGARET BRENNAN: Thank you for your insights this morning, Governor Moore.
GOV. MOORE: Thank you.
