Wes Moore denies claims of inflating military record: ‘All I’ve tried to do is serve this country’

ANNAPOLIS, MARYLAND: Maryland Gov Wes Moore is pushing back against critics who have accused him of overstating his military background for political advantage.

Speaking with Jonathan Martin for Politico’s 'On the Road' in an episode released on Tuesday, May 19, Moore revisited attacks that surfaced during his 2022 gubernatorial campaign, including criticism that came from within Democratic circles.

Wes Moore draws a line on questions about his service

Martin pointed to the opposition research that circulated during Moore’s run for governor.

“You got hit pretty hard in 2022 by your own party. It wasn’t just the right… I remember there was an oppo file dropped on your head saying, 'Hey, you know Moore exaggerates this, that, and everything.' Is that something that you take to heart, or is that a bad-faith critique against you?” Martin asked.

Moore didn’t distinguish between political camps in his answer.

“Listen, it doesn’t matter to me if it’s coming from a Democratic operative or a Republican operative. Right. You know what I always say? You know who it’s not coming from? The United States Army. They don’t question my story. You know who doesn’t question my story? The 82nd Airborne Division, who I served with in Afghanistan, or the Army that awarded me the Bronze Star and a combat action badge for my actions,” Moore said. 

The issue traces back to Moore’s 2024 apology after it emerged that he had incorrectly stated on a White House fellowship application that he had received a Bronze Star.

Moore later explained that he had been nominated for the award and had been told by a commanding officer that it had been approved. According to him, that officer encouraged him to include it on the application.

The commanding officer later backed up Moore’s account and said he also believed Moore had received the Bronze Star. The governor was eventually awarded the Bronze Star during a private ceremony in 2024.

Moore served in Afghanistan from August 2005 through March 2006 and was in the Army Reserves from 1996 until 2014. During his service, he received several honors, including the National Defense Service Medal.

Wes Moore continues to defend himself

Moore told Martin he weighs criticism against the motives behind it. “I consider the source on all this and I consider their motivations. And I do think it’s part of a bigger point.”

“I understand that every single time that my story has been unique — I mean, again, you know, I saw my father die in front of me when I was three because he didn’t get the healthcare he needed, that I had handcuffs on my wrist by the time I was 11, that my mother didn’t her first job that gave her benefits until I was 14 years old, that I joined the Army when I 17, that I graduated from a two-year college, and I still went on to become a Rhodes Scholar — and I know that my story doesn’t seem normal in that way,” he shared. 

Moore continued, “But the truth is, that I’ve been very blessed because I’ve had people who’ve been willing to fight for me and every single time I had the opportunity to choose tough and to serve this country I have.”

“If you look at who I am and what I say, I can tell my own story. I don’t need someone else to tell it. It’s like, you know, when I tell people that when I was 17 years old, I raised my hand to serve this country because I believe in this country that much, I can tell that story. I don’t need someone else to tell me,” he added. 

Martin closed with a simpler question.

“Does it piss you off?” he asked.

“Of course it pisses me off and it pisses me off because it’s like, all I’ve ever tried to do was to serve this country,” Moore replied.