Governor Wes Moore, Not Allowed to Speak at Trump’s Baltimore Shipyard Announcement
A major economic development announcement in Maryland on Tuesday drew national attention, but not only because of the billions of dollars involved.
BALTIMORE COUNTY, MD — A major economic development announcement in Maryland on Tuesday drew national attention, but not only because of the billions of dollars involved. The event also became the center of a dispute between President Donald Trump’s administration and Maryland Gov. Wes Moore after Moore was removed from the list of scheduled speakers.
President Trump traveled to Tradepoint Atlantic at Sparrows Point on October 6 to announce Anduril Industries’ plans for a new, approximately two-million-square-foot shipyard. The project represents a $3.7 billion private investment and is expected to create more than 3,100 permanent jobs. The U.S. Navy has also awarded Anduril a $2.9 billion contract connected to the project.
Gov. Moore had originally been scheduled to speak at the event. According to reports, he was removed from the program after the White House objected to his participation. Moore subsequently chose not to attend the event.
Speaking to reporters Tuesday, Moore said he believed Maryland had played an important role in bringing the Anduril investment to the state. He expressed frustration that he would not be allowed to speak about the project and said he would instead return to his work on behalf of Maryland residents.
The White House offered a different account of the situation. A White House spokesperson said Moore had been invited to attend the event as a guest, but was not scheduled to deliver remarks. The administration disputed the characterization that Moore had been barred from attending.
The disagreement has drawn attention because the project itself represents an unusual area of agreement between the Trump administration and Maryland’s Democratic governor. Moore has publicly welcomed Anduril’s decision to locate the facility in Baltimore County and has highlighted the potential economic benefits for Maryland.
During the announcement, Anduril CEO Brian Schimpf also acknowledged the involvement of Moore, Baltimore County Executive Kathy Klausmeier, the federal congressional delegation and other state and local officials who helped move the project forward.
The new facility, known as Arsenal-2, is planned for the former Bethlehem Steel site at Sparrows Point and will manufacture components for Virginia-class submarines. The project is expected to be operational by the end of the decade.
While the investment is being described as a major opportunity for Maryland’s manufacturing sector, the disagreement over Gov. Moore’s participation has added a political dimension to what was otherwise a major economic and defense announcement.
For Maryland residents, the situation leaves two separate stories surrounding the same event: a significant new investment expected to bring thousands of jobs to the state, and a very public disagreement over who would have a voice on the stage to celebrate it.
