Gov. Wes Moore on Iran, pardon power, and his future | NPR's Newsmakers
Up First from NPR Podcast Recap
Published:
Duration: 36 min
Guests: Wes Moore
Summary
Maryland Governor Wes Moore discusses his views on U.S. military involvement in Iran, the misuse of pardon power, and his efforts to address state issues like child poverty and education. Moore, a rising Democratic figure, is not running for president in 2028 but focuses on impactful governance in...
What Happened
Governor Wes Moore of Maryland critiques the U.S. military mission in the Middle East. He argues that military action should be a last resort and criticizes the lack of clear objectives and coalition support in the conflict with Iran. Moore calls for more transparency and involvement of Congress and the public in war decisions.
Wes Moore is skeptical about the federal government's approach to AI regulation, suggesting it is heavily influenced by Silicon Valley. He warns against the power concentrated in a few dominant AI companies, which poses risks to democracy. Moore advocates for state-level election security and responsible roles for social media and local media in combating misinformation.
Under Moore's leadership, Maryland has made significant strides in education and job growth. The state has quadrupled apprenticeship and trade slots and improved math and reading scores. Moore opposes evaluating high schools based solely on college acceptance rates.
Moore has implemented policies aimed at reducing violent crime and supporting the middle class. Maryland has seen a drop in violent crime rates and has provided tax cuts for the middle class while asking wealthier residents to contribute more.
Moore criticizes the current structure of philanthropy for not addressing systemic issues effectively. He established a policy wing at the Robin Hood Foundation to advocate for policy changes to tackle systemic problems.
Governor Moore conducted the largest mass pardon in U.S. history, pardoning over 175,000 misdemeanor cannabis convictions. He argues for removing pardon power from presidents and governors, citing its misuse.
Maryland responded rapidly to the Key Bridge collapse, highlighting the state's efficient infrastructure management. Permits for repairs were obtained in months, and the federal channel was cleared in 11 weeks.
Although considered a potential future presidential candidate, Moore has stated he will not run in 2028. His current focus is on addressing child poverty and violence in Maryland, aiming for long-term sustainable solutions.
Key Insights
- Governor Wes Moore criticizes U.S. military engagement in Iran, emphasizing the need for clear objectives and coalition support. He advocates for negotiation over military action unless intelligence indicates an imminent threat.
- Maryland has made strides under Moore's leadership, with improvements in education and reductions in violent crime. The state has quadrupled apprenticeship opportunities and seen a significant drop in violent crime rates.
- Moore's largest mass pardon in U.S. history addressed over 175,000 misdemeanor cannabis convictions. He argues for removing pardon powers from executives to prevent misuse.
- Moore warns about the influence of dominant AI companies and criticizes the federal government's regulatory approach. He stresses the importance of state-level election security and responsible media roles in preventing misinformation.