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Trump Snubs Maryland Gov. Wes Moore Over Dinner, Targets Redistricting Push

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Trump Excludes Moore From White House Dinner President Donald Trump declined to invite Maryland Governor Wes Moore to a White House dinner with bipartisan state leaders, labeling the governor “not worthy” of the event on Feb. 19, 2026 [1]. The snub occurred despite Moore’s role as vice chair of the National Governors Association and his frequent mention as a potential Democratic presidential contender. Trump’s decision sparked immediate media attention and heightened tensions between the two leaders.

Trump Accuses Moore of Potomac Sewage Spill Trump publicly blamed Moore for a sewage pipe leak that polluted the Potomac River, asserting the governor was responsible for the environmental damage [1]. Investigations revealed the leaking pipe belongs to a federally regulated utility, indicating the issue falls under federal, not Maryland, jurisdiction. The accusation added a new layer to the feud, linking personal animus to a public health concern.

Moore Advances Democratic‑Favored Redistricting Plan Governor Moore is leading a rewrite of Maryland’s congressional map intended to benefit Democrats, aligning with a nationwide redistricting battle that Trump launched to aid Republican midterm prospects [1]. The proposed map faces intra‑party resistance, notably from a key Democratic legislator in the state House whose dissent could jeopardize the plan. Moore’s push reflects broader strategic battles over electoral maps across the country.

Moore Responds, Emphasizes Personal Tone and Governance Role In an AP interview, Moore said he “prays for Trump” and feels “bad for him,” while criticizing the president’s record on Black issues [1]. He framed Trump’s attacks as “not personal” toward him, stressing that governors serve as a “final line of defense” in a polarized nation and urging consistent, non‑polarizing behavior. Moore’s remarks aim to separate policy disagreement from personal animosity.

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Timeline

2021 – The U.S. Supreme Court halts a similar partisan gerrymander, a precedent Senate President Bill Ferguson cites when warning that an 8‑0 Democratic map “could be struck down by the courts” and might produce a 6‑2 outcome instead [1].

2022 – Governor Wes Moore’s inauguration features Oprah Winfrey, underscoring national attention on his leadership and fueling speculation about a future presidential run [1].

May 2025 – Governor Moore vetoes the Maryland slavery‑reparations bill, arguing the state has already studied the issue and should now focus on implementation rather than further study [6].

Dec 16 2025 – The Maryland House and Senate override Moore’s veto, establishing a Reparations Commission tasked with delivering a preliminary report by Jan 1 2027 and a final report by Nov 1 2027; Moore says he “disagrees with the legislature’s decision yet remains eager to partner on ‘the work of repair’” [4][6].

Jan 21 2026 – The redistricting advisory commission, created by Moore in November, votes in private to forward a map that expands Rep. Andy Harris’s 1st District into Democratic‑leaning areas, a plan Moore frames as Maryland leading a national Democratic redistricting effort [2][3].

Jan 21 2026 – GOP chairwoman Nicole Beus Harris calls the commission’s proposal “extremely gerrymandered” and “unconstitutional,” pledging to challenge it in court [3].

Feb 1 2026 – Governor Moore pushes a bill to place the new congressional map on the 2026 ballot, warning that “failing to act would leave the state ‘kowtowed’ and cost Democrats a seat,” while Senate President Bill Ferguson blocks the 8‑0 map, citing legal risk and the 2021 Supreme Court decision [1].

Feb 1 2026 – Legislative math shows Moore’s supporters have only ten or eleven of the 24 Senate votes needed to pass the redistricting plan, leaving the proposal stalled as the February filing deadline approaches [1].

Feb 19 2026 – President Donald Trump snubs Governor Moore from a White House dinner, calling him “not worthy,” and blames Moore for a Potomac River sewage spill, even though the leak involves a federally regulated utility [5].

Feb 19 2026 – In an AP interview, Moore says he “prays for Trump, feels bad for him,” characterizes Trump’s attacks as “not personal,” and stresses that governors serve as a “final line of defense” in a polarized nation [5].

2026 (future) – The redistricting proposal, if approved by both chambers, will appear on the November 2026 ballot and remain in effect until a post‑2030 census map is drawn, making Maryland’s lone Republican House seat a pivotal national target for Democrats [1].

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