Maryland Democratic Governor Wes Moore is facing sharp criticism for denouncing rising «tribal» politics in a Fourth of July speech while simultaneously pushing a redistricting effort that opponents say would eliminate the state's sole Republican congressional seat. The controversy highlights tensions over political fairness and partisan maneuvering in a state dominated by Democrats.
Moore, a rising Democratic star often mentioned as a potential 2028 presidential candidate, delivered an Independence Day address at the Maryland State House, where George Washington resigned his military commission in 1783. In his speech, Moore described American history as «powerful,» «painful,» and «complex,» and lamented that «too many feel that our politics has become tribal, that our political system once felt like a gift, but the politics of today feel like a grift.»
Haven Shoemaker, the top state attorney for Maryland's Carroll County, responded to Moore's remarks by telling Fox News Digital that «Gov. Moore is proof positive that hypocrisy knows no bounds.» Shoemaker noted that Moore plans to convene a special session of the Maryland General Assembly to advance a congressional redistricting plan that would likely eliminate the state's only Republican-held district, currently represented by Rep. Andy Harris. «On the basis of what you would have to characterize as tribalism, he is going to convene a special session of the Maryland General Assembly to redistrict Maryland's only Republican congressman out of office. Sounds like tribalism to me,» Shoemaker said.
Maryland General Assembly leaders announced they will meet for a special session beginning August 3 to consider a constitutional amendment on congressional redistricting, as reported by affiliate Fox 45. The session follows months of pressure from Moore and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., on Maryland Democrats to advance a redistricting plan that would likely eliminate the state's lone Republican-held district. An earlier effort to pass the redistricting bill fizzled largely due to Maryland Senate President Bill Ferguson, a Democrat who called the proposed map «objectively unconstitutional» and expressed concern that «the downside risk to Democrats is catastrophic.» Afterward, Moore notably did not endorse Ferguson in his primary race despite the senator being one of the highest-ranking Democrats in the state.
After the special session announcement, Moore said in a statement that «for months, I have said that inaction is not an option and we cannot sit on the sidelines while voting rights, fair representation, and the foundations of our democracy come under attack across the country.» He added, «I appreciate the General Assembly's continued conversations and the agreement to come back to finish the work. My administration will work closely with the General Assembly as they consider legislation to ensure our state has the tools necessary to protect voters and defend fair representation.»
Shoemaker, who previously served nine years in the Maryland House of Delegates, including as minority whip, accused Moore of being caught up in national politics while Marylanders are «fleeing in droves.» He said, «His record as governor is abysmal. Since he became governor, almost four years ago, all that he's done is really tried to position himself to run for president.»
Shoemaker also took issue with Moore's critique of American nationalism during his July 4th address. Moore remarked that «today there are those who will use patriotism to justify pulling books from schools and rewriting history until it comforts those in power. In reality, that's not patriotism; that's nationalism.» He continued that «nationalism is not an extension of patriotism; they are not interchangeable. There's a difference, and that does matter.» Shoemaker responded that «patriotism means that you love your country,» while in his view nationalism «means that your country is exceptional.» He added, «It's pretty clear to me that neither Gov. Moore nor the ultra-progressives generally think that America is exceptional, and I think that's incredibly sad.»
Moore's comments also drew criticism from Maryland Freedom Caucus Chair Matt Morgan, a Republican, who said, «In Moore's world, if you're a parent concerned about explicit material in your child's school library, you're a nationalist. If you question the revisionist history framework of the 1619 Project and advocate for accurate, honest history, you're not a patriot. You're a nationalist.» Morgan called it «a neat rhetorical trick: reframe the terms, and suddenly anyone who disagrees with you is the villain.»
In a statement shared with Fox News Digital, the Maryland Freedom Caucus described Moore's decision to convene lawmakers for a special session on redistricting as «a blatant partisan effort to rewrite the Maryland Constitution so Democrats can gerrymander away Rep. Andy Harris's seat and silence rural and conservative voices.» Morgan added, «While Maryland families sit around their kitchen tables wrestling with sky-high taxes, crushing energy costs, and a cost-of-living crisis made far worse by Annapolis Democrats, Governor Wes Moore has decided now is the perfect time to call a special session.»
In response to the criticism, Ammar Mousa, a spokesperson for Moore, told Fox News Digital, «Why are Maryland Republicans so against patriotism?» Shoemaker told Fox News Digital that his own county has been targeted by state leaders for «wanting to have age-appropriate material in public school libraries.» In 2025, the Maryland State Board of Education reviewed Carroll County's removal of 20 books from school libraries after parents argued the removals violated Maryland's Freedom to Read Act, which was signed by Moore in 2024. The state board ultimately upheld the removals, but the controversy underscored ongoing cultural battles in the state.
