The Breakfast Club – Interview with Maryland Gov. Wes Moore

Date: January 30, 2026
Hosts: DJ Envy (absent), Jess Hilarious, Charlamagne tha God, Mimi Brown
Guest: Governor Wes Moore

Episode Overview

In this dynamic and topical interview, Maryland Governor Wes Moore joins The Breakfast Club to discuss a range of urgent state and national issues ahead of his re-election campaign. Topics include his administration’s progress in Baltimore, efforts to lower energy bills, the controversial expansion of ICE, redistricting battles, the impact of federal turbulence on Maryland, and Moore's personal philosophy on leadership and public service. With speculation growing around a Wes Moore 2028 presidential run, the conversation digs into his bipartisan appeal and what drives his approach to governing.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

Baltimore’s Transformation and State Progress

03:01–03:59

• Charlamagne highlights positive community buzz around Moore’s work in Baltimore.
• Moore details dramatic changes:
  • 2022: Inner Harbor in receivership, almost a homicide a day, 17,000+ vacant homes.
  • Now: Fastest drop in violent crime in the U.S. “The last time the homicide rate was this low in Baltimore, I wasn’t born yet.”
  • Economic growth: 7th fastest in the U.S.; ranked 3rd best place for recent grads (Forbes).
• Quote (04:21, Moore): “We are on the move…Baltimore, stand up.”

Economic Initiatives and Polls

05:00–06:05

• Charlamagne mentions Moore’s high, but softening, approval.
• Moore lists accomplishments:
  • 35,000 new businesses, nearly 100,000 new jobs.
  • Major private investments: AstraZeneca & Samsung Biologics.
  • “If anybody wants to challenge me, come with it.”

Lowering Energy Bills & Grid Reform

06:05–08:59

• Moore talks about the new $40 electric bill rebate for Marylanders and how energy prices can really be reduced only by increasing supply.
• Pushes for investment in solar, wind, nuclear.
• Addresses grid bottlenecks and legislation to speed up new projects.
• Quote (08:08, Moore): “I would say it isn’t enough. We obviously always want to be able to do more… but the best thing…is to increase supply.”

Impact of Federal Layoffs and Shutdowns

08:59–11:50

• Maryland has the most federal workers, vulnerable to shutdowns.
• “Donald Trump and J.D. Vance have already fired over 25,000 Marylanders—federal workers.”
• Moore decries ICE’s budget increase from $10B (2024) to $85B, now the largest law enforcement agency in the U.S.
• Quote (09:14, Moore): “These are the people who Trump and Vance went after first…any shutdown is devastating for us.”

ICE’s Expansion and Political Concerns

11:50–12:40

• ICE has become a “problem everywhere,” especially in cities being targeted.
• Moore warns ICE, now with massive resources, may be used to intimidate voters.

Voter Intimidation, Redistricting, and Data Protection

12:40–15:45

• Moore fears ICE could disrupt polling places, calls ICE “Trump’s personal army.”
• Talks tough on redistricting: “It’s not about one seat. It’s about democracy… are you willing to fight or not?”
• Moore touts Maryland’s refusal to hand over voter files or data.
• Quote (14:41, Moore): “100%. [We are] doing the redistricting…[and] I’m not backing down…I’m not going to blink on this one.”

SNAP Benefit Controversy and Transparency

16:55–18:48

• Responds to whistleblower claims about SNAP error rates:
  • Moore says he hired a chief performance officer to raise accountability.
  • Maryland’s SNAP error rate down 60%—"among the fastest drop in the entire country."
  • Cooperating with ongoing independent oversight.
• Quote (17:08, Moore): “I’m a results guy, and here are the results…”

Audience Q&A: Housing Affordability

22:47–25:41

• Caller Adele asks about housing costs.
• Moore highlights legislation supporting first-time buyers and renters, calls for more inventory by building on state-owned land.
• Signed executive order for inventory/allotment of state land for housing projects.
• Quote (23:45, Moore): “Housing is the greatest pusher of poverty…[and] the greatest pusher of wealth.”

Audience Q&A: Education and "The Other Wes Moore"

25:51–28:13

• Ms. James, Brooklyn teacher, praises Moore’s memoir as classroom curriculum.
• Moore discusses identity, expectations, and the importance of educators.
• Quote (27:18, Moore): “We are products of our expectations.”

National Model, Faith, and Personal Moments

28:27–30:34

• Speculation about Moore as a 2028 presidential candidate.
• Hosts tease him about his public singing at Richard Smallwood’s funeral.
• Moore gets personal: faith as grounding force.
• Quote (29:22, Moore): “I’m proud to be a governor…but number one, I’m a child of God.”

Governing Amidst Polarization

30:35–32:09

• Moore addresses federal dysfunction; emphasizes state and local leadership as the last defense against federal overreach.
• Quote (31:55, Moore): “Who your mayor is, who your attorney general is…for many of us, you become both the last line of defense…[and can] show what right should actually look like.”

Record as Governor and Bipartisanship

32:09–36:22

• The importance of a governor’s record for national office.
• Moore was not the party’s choice—his candidacy is about people, not politicians.
• Bipartisan support from Republican mayors and county execs: “When the governor says he’ll build a table big enough for all of us, he means it.”
• Service Year and Apprenticeship: Maryland first to offer a paid service year for high school grads, now being modeled nationally.

Lighthearted/Personal Moments

• Running joke about being related to rapper Styles P (“you’ve never seen us in a room together”).
• Moore displays range: “I do ‘Jesus, You’re the Center of My Joy’ but I also do ‘I Get High’ too” (36:41).
• Confident, direct, yet lighthearted style throughout.

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• On Crime Reduction: “The last time the homicide rate was this low in Baltimore, I wasn’t born yet.” (04:21, Moore)
• On Energy Policy: “We obviously always want to be able to do more, but the best thing we can do…is to increase supply.” (08:08, Moore)
• On ICE Expansion: “ICE is now the largest law enforcement agency in this entire country. Bigger than the FBI, bigger than the ATF, bigger than the DEA. And what are they doing, arresting five-year-olds, killing American citizens?” (09:14, Moore)
• On Voter Intimidation: “They are playing in our face in broad daylight. And so, no, I’m not going to sit down and be quiet.” (13:50, Moore)
• On Housing: “Housing is the greatest pusher of poverty… [and] the greatest pusher of wealth.” (23:45, Moore)
• Personal Values: “I’m proud to be governor and all that kind of stuff, but number one, I’m a child of God.” (29:22, Moore)
• Refusing Federal Data Requests: “I’ve told them, you ain’t getting that… We protect our people’s information.” (18:57, Moore)
• On Being Related to Styles P (Joking): “All I’m saying is you’ve never seen us in a room together.” (36:41, Moore)

Important Timestamps

• 03:01: Baltimore turnaround, crime, and economy
• 05:00: Maryland's growth, jobs, approval polls
• 06:05: Energy rebate, clean energy plans
• 08:59: Federal layoffs, ICE, government shutdown
• 12:40: Redistricting fight, voter protection
• 16:55: SNAP error allegation response
• 22:47: Housing affordability (caller segment)
• 25:51: Book impact in schools (caller segment)
• 28:27: Maryland as a national model
• 30:35: Governing amid federal dysfunction
• 32:09: On gubernatorial records and bipartisan appeal
• 34:08: Service Year program explained
• 36:28: Playful question about being related to Styles P

Tone & Language

Moore’s style is direct, data-oriented, and energetic, with moments of humor and vulnerability. The show maintains its trademark mix of serious policy talk, community focus, and playful banter. Charlamagne and Jess bring authentic, sharp questioning, balancing skepticism with respect.