Wes Moore says Trump does 'not determine my worthiness' after WH Governors event snub

BALTIMORE, MARYLAND: Governor of Maryland, Wes Moore, has delivered a sharp rebuke to President Donald Trump after being excluded from the upcoming bipartisan gathering of the National Governors' Association at the White House. 

Moore emphasized that his "worthiness" as a leader is derived from his constituents and God more than Trump’s approval of his worthiness.

Maryland Governor Moore responds to Donald Trump's snub 

During a CBS Town Hall interview, anchor Norah O’Donnell questioned the Governor about his exclusion from the event. 

"The president is set to welcome the National Governor's Association, that's a bipartisan group, to the White House. And I know that you are vice chair of that group," O’Donnell noted.  "And yet, President Trump has said that you are not invited because in his words, you're 'not worthy.' Why do you think President Trump has singled you out?"

Moore responded by making it clear that he does not seek validation from the Oval Office. 

"Well, I can't speak to the president's heart. I can speak to his actions and I do want to be clear to the president respectfully. Uh, you do not determine my worthiness. God determines my worthiness. The people of Maryland determine my worthiness. They are who I answer to, not him," Moore said. 

He emphasized that while he is willing to work with cabinet secretaries and agency heads to advance Maryland’s interests, but he "will bow down to no one."

Wes Moore says he's good without White House invite

Moore further told O’Donnell that he has no interest in attending an event if the atmosphere is "name-calling" or "ignorance." 

Referring to the president's social media critiques, Moore described the behavior as "unhinged" and "full of lies."

When O’Donnell pressed him to clarify if he would skip the event even if the situation changed, asking, "Meaning you won't go?" 

Moore was clear. "Oh, I'm good. Oh, I'm. I will not go. Absolutely not," he replied. 

He suggested that the President’s problem stems from Moore’s refusal to remain silent on policies that he believes harm his state.

Background of the ‘not worthy’ snub

The feud intensified earlier this week when President Trump, on February 11, took to Truth Social to explain why certain leaders were left off the guest list for the annual NGA dinner scheduled on February 20.

While most governors were invited, Trump specifically named Moore and Colorado Governor Jared Polis as being "not worthy of being there." 

The president used harsh language, brought up past controversies regarding Moore’s military record, and referred to him as "the foul-mouthed Governor of Maryland," accusing him of allowing Baltimore to "continue to be a Crime Disaster."