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Maryland Gov. Wes Moore says the Trump administration blocked him from speaking at an event celebrating a $6.6 billion investment in a new submarine manufacturing facility he helped bring to the state.
President Donald Trump traveled to Sparrows Point, Maryland, Tuesday (October 6), to announce the investment involving defense technology company Anduril Industries and the U.S. Navy. Anduril plans to invest $3.7 billion to build a new shipyard, while the Navy is committing $2.9 billion to the company to manufacture components for Virginia-class submarines, CNN reported.
The project is expected to create more than 3,100 direct jobs. Moore's administration had worked with Anduril for more than a year to bring the company to Maryland, according to CNN.
Moore said he learned Monday night that he would no longer be allowed to speak at the event.
The White House pushed back on Moore’s characterization of what happened. CNN reported that a White House official said Trump invited Moore to attend the event as a guest but criticized the governor for objecting to not having a speaking role.
“It’s unfortunate that the Governor is now making a multi-billion-dollar announcement about himself by throwing a tantrum over a federal initiative that will bring sorely needed jobs back to his state thanks to President Trump,” the official said.
The New York Times reported that Moore ultimately did not attend the event. His spokesman said the governor would continue working with anyone to deliver for Maryland residents while “bow[ing] to no one” when it comes to standing up for them.
Speaking with CNN's Kaitlan Collins Tuesday night, Moore said Trump ultimately decided to “give a speech and take the credit.”
“That is the Trump way,” Moore said. “Where you don’t do the work but you get all the credit.”
Moore also said he did not need Trump's approval for his work as governor.
“I don’t need the President’s attaboy for the job that we are doing,” he said. “I’m here because of the 6.5 million people who call the State of Maryland home.”
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