Summary: Governor Wes Moore told Face the Nation that while governors cannot control global energy markets, Maryland is using state tools to protect consumers and provide targeted relief. A veteran of the 82nd Airborne, Moore warned against protracted foreign wars, argued for clearer White House objectives and stressed the need for international coalitions and accountability. He also said states cannot replace federal programs, noting Maryland used 63 million dollars from a fiscal reserve to prevent SNAP cuts.
Wes Moore on Rising Energy Costs, 'Forever Wars' and State Relief Efforts
This is an edited and clarified transcript of Governor Wes Moore's interview with CBS News' Face the Nation, recorded April 3 and aired April 5, 2026. Governor Moore, a Democrat and U.S. Army veteran, discussed the economic effects of recent international military action, state policy responses in Maryland, and the limits of state authority on federal programs.
On Economic Pain and Energy Prices
Moore acknowledged the real financial strain many families are feeling as inflation and energy costs rise. He used a personal example: his mother's monthly energy bill rose from roughly $140 last March to nearly $500 this March. He emphasized that governors cannot directly control global energy markets but can protect consumers at the state level by preventing price manipulation, holding companies accountable and delivering targeted relief such as rebates and tax adjustments.
State Tools and Consumer Protections
The governor highlighted steps Maryland is taking to help residents cope, including targeted middle-class tax relief and legal or regulatory actions to curb corporate gouging. He cited oversight of data center companies and the use of state rebates as examples of measures intended to return value to Maryland households while preserving investments in education and public safety.
On Gas Taxes and National Policy
When asked about a temporary gas tax holiday, Moore said such measures are limited in scope and stressed his larger point that sustained spikes in energy prices are tied to broader national and international decisions, including military action. He argued that avoiding avoidable or prolonged foreign conflicts is crucial to stabilizing prices and protecting household budgets.
Military Action, Clarity and Accountability
Drawing on his service with the 82nd Airborne Division in Afghanistan, Moore warned against repeating the costs of protracted conflicts. He noted that the Afghanistan engagement lasted roughly 20 years, cost an estimated 2.5 trillion dollars and resulted in more than 2,400 U.S. fatalities, yet left the country under Taliban control. He called for clearer articulation from the White House on objectives, end states and measures of success before committing U.S. forces to major operations.
Relationships With Iran and Israel
On Iran, Moore described the relationship as broken and stressed that any response must fit within a coherent foreign-policy strategy that accounts for Iran's ties across the region. On Israel, he reaffirmed the importance of the bilateral relationship while arguing it should include mechanisms for accountability and a defined strategy that meets three basic tests — last resort, a clear mission and an international coalition.
Federal Responsibilities and State Limits
Moore disputed the notion that states can absorb the cost of large federal programs such as Medicare, Medicaid and universal childcare. He described recent federal moves to cut SNAP as unlawful, noting Maryland sued and prevailed in court. To prevent hunger among residents, he said he redirected 63 million dollars from the state Fiscal Responsibility Fund, financed by capital gains tax revenue, to preserve SNAP benefits in Maryland.
Closing
Throughout the interview Moore urged greater clarity from national leadership on military aims and domestic priorities, framed states as fiscally responsible but limited in capacity, and emphasized targeted state actions to protect residents from immediate economic harm.
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