For Maryland Governor Wes Moore, the conflict with Iran during President Trump's term was not a distant international event, but rather closely linked to his personal experience.

Moore served as an officer in the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division in Afghanistan. Just last month, Trump deployed this unit to the Middle East to support military action against Iran. The 82nd Airborne Division is the U.S. Army's rapid reaction force, capable of deploying to any location in the world within 24 hours.

"This is one of the most elite combat units in the world's history," Moore said in an interview. "Our unit is practically omnipotent. But we shouldn't do everything, and I think that's where the problem lies. "



He added, " They received orders without clear mission objectives. If anyone wants to know why this war is unpopular, they should consider this fact: nobody understands what we're doing. "

He delivered a speech at the Civil Rights Conference, focusing on his military experience.

The speech took place in New York City during a four-day convention hosted by the National Action Network, a civil rights organization led by Reverend Al Sharpton.

Moore addressed hundreds of Black activists from across the country, his military service a central theme of his speech. Held against the backdrop of the Middle East conflict, the convention became one of the largest gatherings to date for potential Democratic presidential candidates for 2028. It provided a clear picture of these potential contenders' possible campaign platforms and their level of support among Black activists.

Moore, once an outsider to politics, is now the only Black governor in the United States. During his speech, attendees repeatedly rose to their feet, applauding and cheering, with chants of "Thank you for your service" and "Run for office, Wes, run for office!" echoing through the crowd.

Democratic Party seeks candidate with national security background

Following its defeat in the 2024 presidential election, the Democratic Party is actively seeking a direction for the future, and candidates with national security backgrounds have already brought some success to the party. For example, former CIA officer Abigail Spanberger was elected governor of Virginia, and former Navy pilot Mikie Sherrill was elected governor of New Jersey.

In his speech, Moore linked the effects of the costly war to the problem of insufficient domestic investment in the United States. He cited his personal experience in the war in Afghanistan, which lasted 20 years, cost $2 trillion, and ultimately only led to the Taliban regaining power.

He said, "My concern is that we are heading into the same trap, and the president and vice president are blindly making us do this, and they are doing it in our name and with our money."

This argument is quite similar to Trump's stance during his campaign when he fiercely attacked the "perpetual war," and now the Democrats are using the same tactics against him.

Military service was a highlight, but his resume was once the subject of controversy.

Several attendees said they knew little about Moore's background and were unsure who they would support in the primary. However, many pointed out that his military service was a significant advantage.

"That would be a plus; he's a doer," said Cheryl Eliano, a former federal employee from the Fort Hood area of Texas.

However, the governor has also faced accusations of embellishing his military service record. About two years ago, when applying for the 2006 White House Scholars Program, he claimed in his materials that he had received the Bronze Star, when he was only recommended for the award. Moore was ultimately awarded the Bronze Star in December 2024.

Emphasis on domestic policy and the use of pardons

In a speech on Thursday (April 9), Moore highlighted his investment initiatives in Maryland aimed at eradicating child poverty and combating violent crime. He mentioned pardoning 175,000 state-level offenses related to low-level marijuana convictions, but later stated in an interview that he would relinquish the power of pardon if it were abused.

He said, "I am very proud of how I use the pardon power, but if this power is to be used like Donald Trump, I would rather we all be deprived of it."

According to The Wall Street Journal, Trump relied on an informal fast track to presidential pardons, which helped some people with political connections or economic power.

Moore also stated that the Democratic Party needs to pay more attention to issues concerning men and boys. This is not only about winning back young male voters who voted for Trump politically, but also about concrete policies related to education, mental health, and employment. He said, "Men in our society are facing a very real problem."

Cautious about the 2028 presidential election

Black voters have long played a crucial role in deciding the Democratic nominee in presidential primaries. Former Vice President Kamala Harris is expected to speak at the convention on Friday. One key reason she is still considering running for president again is her strong support base among black voters. According to a Center Square Voters Voice Poll conducted in March, Harris currently leads in support among black voters.

When asked if he would run for president, Moore, who will seek re-election as governor of Maryland in November, did not completely rule out the possibility of running for the White House, but he emphasized that Democrats need to focus on the upcoming midterm elections.

He said, "Now show me some real action and prove to me that you are a winter warrior who holds the line, not a summer warrior who deserts the battlefield, and then we'll talk."

During his time in New York, Moore also met with donors and content creators and raised funds for his re-election campaign.

Other potential Democratic candidates also made appearances.

Other Democrats who may run for president in 2028 also spoke at the convention, including Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, Arizona Senator Ruben Gallego, and Representative Ro Khanna. Former Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and Kentucky Governor Andy Beshear are expected to attend later this week. Gallego and Buttigieg both have military backgrounds.

In his speech, Gallego also mentioned his military experience, using it to criticize Trump's immigration enforcement policies. He stated that Chicago law enforcement officers were patrolling the streets "the same way I patrolled in Iraq." Gallego added, "Why are you treating Americans like this?"

Philadelphia pastor Jerome Fordham, who attended the conference, said it was too early to decide on a presidential primary candidate. "I need someone who can win and bring change," he said. He added that he would be clearer about who to support once he heard concrete plans to drive change.

He said, "If you're hungry and someone is cooking, you can smell the aroma from a great distance."

Conclusion: Military experience becomes a new highlight for the Democratic Party

At a crucial moment for the Democratic Party's resurgence, Moore, with his military experience and sharp criticism of Trump's war on Iran, became a focal point at the convention. His speech not only highlighted the potential value of a national security background within the Democratic Party but also reflected the party's strategic shift among Black voters and young men. Although Moore has not explicitly stated whether he will run for president in 2028, his performance has shown that candidates with practical experience and a pragmatic governing record are gradually becoming an important option in the Democratic Party's future competition.

In the coming months, the campaign platforms and contests among potential Democratic candidates will determine whether the party can maintain its foothold in the midterm elections and prepare for the 2028 general election.