Gov. Wes Moore on Iran, pardon power, and his future | NPR's Newsmakers

Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, a combat veteran and rising Democratic figure, discusses the U.S. military deployment to the Middle East, state-level governance successes, skepticism toward philanthropy, AI risks, and needed reforms in an interview with NPR's Steve Inskeep.

Critiques of U.S. Iran Policy and Military Deployment

Moore expresses deep concern over the deployment of his former unit, the 82nd Airborne Division, to the Middle East amid escalating tensions with Iran. Drawing from his paratrooper experience, he outlines three prerequisites for authorizing military force: it must be the last resort, with a clear mission and endgame, and backed by an international coalition. He argues none apply here—military action was not inevitable, the administration has offered conflicting mission descriptions, and no global coalition exists. Tactically, he dismisses notions of easily seizing an Iranian island, noting that Iran has run battle drills on such scenarios for decades, just as U.S. forces have. Victory remains undefined: current costs exceed a billion dollars daily, gas prices have risen over a dollar nationwide, yet there's no path to regime change, uranium seizure, or derailing Iran's nuclear program. Moore calls the U.S. a nation at war without public acknowledgment; President Trump has not addressed the country or outlined required sacrifices, leaving service members and