Maryland Gov. Wes Moore Vows to Work With Trump: ‘I’m Not the Leader of the Resistance’

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore (C) and lawmakers speak during a press conference at the U.S. Capitol, on April 9, 2024. Madalina Vasiliu/The Epoch Times

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore said on Tuesday that he will work with President-elect Donald Trump when he takes office next week despite mounting resistance from other Democratic leaders.

Moore made the comments during an interview with CNN’s Jake Tapper in response to questions regarding what approach he plans to take with the new Republican presidency.

“I’m not the leader of the resistance. I’m the governor of Maryland,” Moore said. “My job is to make sure that the 6.5 million people who call the state of Maryland home are going to be supported, protected, that their freedoms and their rights are going to be honored, and also their hopes and their dreams and their aspirations are going to be invested in and supported.”

The governor noted, however, that there are limits to his cooperation with Trump.

“I have been very clear that I will work with anybody who wants to be a good partner inside the work to make sure that Maryland is supported, but I am also prepared to make sure that we will push back when we see those basic rights being violated,” he said.

New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy said on Tuesday that while he will partner with Trump on aligning priorities, he “will never back down” from defending the state’s values “if and when they are tested.”

Murphy, who is nearing the end of his term, issued the remarks during his State of the State address.

The governor also announced that the state will begin stockpiling a supply of the abortion drug Mifepristone so that “every woman” can access it.

“When it comes to protecting fundamental rights, I will not give an inch,” Murphy said.

Trump told Time magazine in December 2024 that he will ensure the FDA does not limit access to abortion pills when he takes office.

Earlier this month, Colorado Gov. Jared Polis endorsed Trump’s plan to deport immigrants living illegally in the country who commit violent crimes.

“In Colorado, we have zero tolerance for those who commit violent crimes whether they are American citizens or not,” the governor said in his annual State of the State address at the Capitol.

He said the state will not cooperate with efforts to deport U.S. citizens, target individuals on pending legal status, or break up families.

California state lawmakers convened a special session last month to prepare for the incoming administration, with the aim of countering potential federal policy decisions related to environmental protections, abortion, and illegal immigrants.

“We’re preparing for Trump 2.0,” California Gov. Gavin Newsom told The Epoch Times at the time.

Newsom has sparred with Trump in recent weeks.

California Gov. Gavin Newsom speaks to reporters at the Davis Ranches in Colusa on Dec. 10, 2024. Travis Gillmore/The Epoch Times

Trump criticized what he described as “gross incompetence and mismanagement” by the state and federal government in response to the wildfires in California. He has called for the governor to resign.

In response, Newsom has accused Trump of politicizing the ongoing crisis.

The Epoch Times has contacted Newsom’s office for comment.

Travis Gillmore contributed to this report.