During a cabinet meeting Friday in Annapolis, Gov. Moore reiterated the importance of a peaceful transition of power after Vice President Kamala Harris lost her presidential bid. Gov. Moore outlined guiding principles, but did not provide specifics on how to accomplish his goals.

“We will vigorously defend the interests of all Marylanders, and we are ready to push back on this new administration when necessary,” Gov. Moore said.

Over the next two and a half months, we will continue to partner with the Biden-Harris Administration to leave no one behind – And over the next two and half months, we will ALSO prepare for the incoming Trump-Vance Administration, in a way that ensures we can, again, leave no one behind, Gov. Moore said.

Gov. Moore did say that he believed it was important to find common ground with the Trump Administration when possible. That sentiment was applauded by Senate Minority Leader Steve Hershey, who noted the importance of navigating a federal partnership.

“We encourage the Governor and his team to remember that the message hardworking Americans sent to Washington also applies in Maryland – they are struggling, and the cost of their daily routines is getting harder and harder to manage,” Sen. Hershey said via statement. “Keeping this at the forefront will be paramount as we continue to grapple with a looming budget deficit. Raising taxes and overregulation will only stifle our economy and the opportunities available to all Marylanders.”

Harris’s loss was a disappointment to many Marylanders, Gov. Moore said; he spent weeks on the campaign trail in swing states campaigning for V.P. Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz.

“I know this is a result that the majority of Marylanders did not vote for, but I do want to be clear: this is the result that this administration is prepared for,” Gov. Moore said.

Throughout his remarks made at the top of the cabinet meeting, Gov. Moore reiterated the guiding principles heading into next year: deliver for Marylanders, defend constitutional rights, grow the economy, and “restore faith in our public servants, our institutions, and our democracy.”

Heading into the next budget year with a budget crunch expected, Gov. Moore made it clear growing the economy will be crucial. Decisions that are made in Washington will likely impact Maryland, the governor said, especially since Maryland is home to the NIH, NSA, FDA, Ft. Meade, and NASA.

“The federal government is our biggest employer, and we have around 140,000 federal employees in our state,” Gov. Moore said. “These Marylanders are essential to our national competitiveness – and they are the bedrock of our economy.”