Maryland's Democratic Governor Wes Moore is being accused of hypocrisy after he criticised "tribal" politics in an Independence Day speech while simultaneously backing a redistricting effort that opponents say is designed to eliminate the state's only Republican-held congressional seat. The row matters because Moore is seen as a rising star in the Democratic Party and a possible 2028 presidential contender, making his conduct on a contentious partisan issue subject to heightened scrutiny.

In his speech at the Maryland State House, Moore lamented that politics had shifted "from a gift" to "a grift" and had become tribal. Haven Shoemaker, the top state attorney for Carroll County, told Fox News Digital that Moore was "proof positive that hypocrisy knows no bounds", arguing that convening a special legislative session to redraw the map amounted to tribalism itself. Maryland General Assembly leaders have announced a special session beginning 3 August to consider a constitutional amendment on congressional redistricting, following months of pressure from Moore and House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries to advance a plan likely to remove the state's lone Republican district.