Wes Moore: ‘I'm not running' for president in 2028
Maryland Gov. Wes Moore, a rising star within the Democratic Party who's been floated as a 2028 contender, surprised many Thursday when he said he will not run for president in the next cycle.
'I am not running,' Moore said when asked by co-host Joy Behar on ABC's 'The View' if he would run in 2028, noting actor George Clooney's recent praise of him.
'You're not,' Behar responded, to which Moore doubled down, 'I am not running.'
'The View' co-host Sunny Hostin said at one point that the Maryland Democrat was 'doing a pretty bang-up job in Maryland.'
'Wait a minute, what if we really, really, really need you, though?' Behar asked to laughter.
Moore's announcement that he's not interested in running for a White House bid in 2028 is surprising given as his popularity has risen within the party, including making notable appearances at events like the Gridiron Club in March.
He raised some speculation at the event about potential presidential ambitions when he said, 'If I actually wanted to be president, I wouldn't do any of this.'
'Instead, I would take my case directly to the people who are in charge of our democracy: the Kremlin,' he added.
Moore is among a handful of Democratic governors who have been floated as 2028 White House potentials, which also include Gretchen Whitmer of Michigan, Gavin Newsom of California, JB Pritzker of Illinois, Josh Shapiro of Pennsylvania, and Andy Beshear of Kentucky.
While he made it clear he wasn't interested in running for the presidency, it's also possible that Moore could change his mind, particularly as the contours of a 2028 Democratic primary shape up in the next year or two.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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'This Week' Transcript 6-15-25: Sen. Amy Klobuchar, Israeli Ambassador to the United States Yechiel Leiter & Retired Gen. Joseph Votel
A rush transcript of "This Week with George Stephanopoulos" airing on Sunday, June 15, 2025 on ABC News is below. This copy may not be in its final form, may be updated and may contain minor transcription errors. For previous show transcripts, visit the "This Week" transcript archive. MARTHA RADDATZ, ABC "THIS WEEK" CO-ANCHOR: And we are joined now in studio by the Israeli ambassador to the United States, Yechiel Leiter. Good morning, Ambassador. Give us the latest on last night's attack. Missiles seem to be getting through. The Iranians claim they have a maneuverable missile that's harder to detect. YECHIEL LEITER, ISRAELI AMBASSADOR TO THE UNITED STATES: The Iranians have a large arsenal of ballistic missiles. We have some (INAUDIBLE) defense systems, anti-missile defense systems, but they're not hermetically sealing the skies. So, there's about 10 to 15 percent of these ballistic missiles that get through. We sustained significant attacks last night. We have over 10 fatalities and hundreds wounded. RADDATZ: And Prime Minister Netanyahu said -- what -- what they have done to Iran so far is nothing compared to what is coming. Tell us what you can about that. And is Iran's supreme leader off the target list? LEITER: I think it's fair to say that nobody who's threatening the destruction of Israel should be off the target list. But we're not going to discuss specific individuals, you know, online. The idea is to neutralize and terminate the Iranian intention of destroying Israel through nuclear weapons and through ballistic missiles. And anybody who gets in the way of that, or -- or is actually advancing, that cause of destroying Israel is obviously somebody we're going to have to deal with. RADDATZ: That's a very big lift. Obviously, you hit some generals, you hit nuclear scientists. LEITER: Well, we hit -- we hit the top of the line in terms of the generals, the IRGC and the army. They're in a bit of chaos now. There is a breakdown in the chain of command, but we have more coming. RADDATZ: And do you believe these strikes have significantly set back the nuclear program? That was the reason you went after Iran. Has the nuclear program been set back? There are those who are skeptical that it has not, including former Israeli Prime Minister Ehud Barak. He said Israel cannot delay Iran's nuclear program by a significant time period. LEITER: Well, he was prime minister many years ago for a short time. I don't think he's privy today to the intel that we have. Yes, we've set them back dramatically, but not enough. And that's why this series of strikes is not going to end today or tomorrow, but only at a period of time, which may take weeks, when we are absolutely certain that the nuclear infrastructure, with the intention of weaponizing and threatening Israel, is terminated. RADDATZ: Well, let's talk about Fordo. It's deep in a mountainside. There are those who do not believe you can destroy Fordo without U.S. help and those bunker-busting bombs. Is it possible without U.S. help? LEITER: The help that we've asked from the United States is confined to defensive posture. We're very, very thankful to President Trump and the administration for the THAAD missile, anti-missile defense system, for the Aegis missile defense system, but it's only in a defensive posture. We have a number of contingencies, will -- which will enable us to deal with Fordo. Not everything is a matter of, you know, taking to the skies and bombing from afar. RADDATZ: But you're certain you can wipe out Fordo? LEITER: We're certain -- we're -- we're certain that we can set back the nuclear weapons system development within Iran for a very, very long time. RADDATZ: How do you avoid this war escalating? The president saying overnight that if Iran hits the U.S. assets they will feel the full force of the U.S. military. How do you contain this war? LEITER: Martha, the objective is not to contain the war. The objective is to win the war. Look, 80 years ago we had a little man with a mustache running around Europe that nobody believed him when he said he was going to destroy the Jewish people. We lost 6 million. Now we've got a crazed new Hitler running around the Middle East saying he's going to destroy us. We have to take him at face value. That's his intention. He says it every day. He's got a concrete plan to destroy us. This isn't a joke. This is very serious for us. It's existential. RADDATZ: The U.S. was in the middle of negotiations. President Trump talked about that. He did not want you to take action while these negotiations were going on. He said overnight, we can still easily get a deal done between Iran and Israel and end this bloody conflict. Is that true? Do you want a deal? LEITER: Well, actually, Friday -- Friday morning the president was actually quite gratulatory over our initial strikes, and he did write clearly that he knew about our intentions. So, look, if the president can -- RADDATZ: But -- but what does that mean, because he said he didn't want you to strike? LEITER: That -- that -- that -- well -- well -- well, no, actually, he was congratulatory about our strike. RADDATZ: After the strike. LEITER: He wants -- he wants the nuclear program in Iran to be halted in its entirety. He said it very clearly, dismantle the centrifuges, dismantle the infrastructure, and stop in total the enrichment of uranium. So, if that can be achieved through negotiation, so be it. We'll be very happy. But it hasn't been. And it was actually on the 61st day, after the president gave him 60 days, that we struck. RADDATZ: If you don't reach a deal, what is the exit strategy here? What is the end game? It will not stop until the nuclear program is completely destroyed? LEITER: The nuclear program and the ballistic missile program. The missiles that they're firing -- firing into Israel now are ballistic missiles with a tremendous payload. They create tremendous damage. And, as a matter of fact, the Supreme leader of Iran has said repeatedly that if he fires thousands of ballistic missiles into Israel, we're a small county and there's nothing we can do other than die. Well, we're not going to die. We're not going to allow these ballistic missiles to continue to hit Israel. And we're going to do what we have to do to defend our country. RADDATZ: OK, thanks for joining us this morning, Mr. Ambassador. We appreciate your time. LEITER: Good to be with you, Martha. Thank you. MARTHA RADDATZ, ABC 'THIS WEEK' CO-ANCHOR: And let's get more now from former CENTCOM commander, General Joseph Votel, who oversaw U.S. military planning in the Middle East. It's good to see you this morning. General, you're obviously very familiar with Iran's capabilities. Has any of this surprised you? And do they have some sort of maneuverable missile that is creating these problems? GEN. JOSEPH VOTEL (RET.), FORMER CENTCOM COMMANDER: Thanks, Martha. It's great to be with you. I mean, certainly, Iran has been on a path for a long time to develop capabilities that could hold the region -- in particular, to hold Israel at risk. So, I think we have to take this seriously. I don't know the full dimensions of everything that they have in their own capability right now, but I think we're pretty confident in the fact that they've continued to enrich uranium and that they have developed sophisticated ballistic missiles and the mating of those two things I think poses a significant threat to Israel and, of course, to the remainder of the region. It has to be taken seriously. RADDATZ: And, General, the ambassador told me a short time ago that 15 percent of the missiles are breaking through air defenses in Israel and also the U.S. is helping, as you know. That seems like a very high number and could create real problems. VOTEL: Yeah, I think -- I think this is what Iran is counting on, is that they're -- the Iron Dome -- Iron Dome system, as good as it is, is not completely failsafe. And so, when you launch a lot of missiles, a lot of drones, inevitably, some of those are going to get through. And they're, as we -- as we've seen, just in the last 24 hours, they're going to hit populated areas, they're going to cause casualties. And Iran is counting on that and hoping that that will put pressure on the Israeli administration to stop doing what they're doing. RADDATZ: And in terms of taking out Iran's nuclear facilities, the ambassador seems quite confident that they can significantly delay the nuclear program. Do you agree with that? And especially Fordow -- if they don't take out Fordow, where are -- where are they? VOTEL: Yeah. I think -- as I've been watching the targeting effort over the last couple days, I mean, I think Israel has a very sophisticated approach to this. I think they've -- they're executing, and I think they've got a long list of things that they're going to go after, and they're going to get to all of them. They've focused very deliberately on removing the ability for the Iranians to see or to protect themselves. They've made it very difficult for the Iranians to respond effectively by removing a lot of their leadership and going after their missile capabilities. And they're focusing on the object of the primary concern which is the nuclear weapons program. And going after something like Fordow, the underground -- the major underground facilities is going to be difficult. But, of course, a facility like Fordow underground is dependent on a lot of infrastructure. So, there's a lot of damage. There are a lot of things that Iran can go after that can have a direct and indirect impact on the centrifuges in Fordow and could certainly delay the program without necessarily have to go in and destroy everything underground. RADDATZ: But you say delay, so you're confident they couldn't destroy it without the help of the U.S.? VOTEL: Well, I don't know the full range of all capabilities that the -- that the Israelis have, their very sophisticated, savvy military. There are lots of tools that are available to them. I think the conventional wisdom is that the bunker busters, the penetrating munitions that are needed to go after something like this are largely still within the inventory of the United States. So, yeah, I think -- I think -- I think probably would have some difficulty at doing that and again, the Iranians are demonstrating some level of resolve here. And we can't dismiss the fact that they will continue to pursue this program or even try to make a dash to take what they have now and try to -- try to create some kind of weapon. RADDATZ: And, General, of course, we have 40,000 troops in the region. President Trump overnight said, basically, look out, don't hit those troops or you're in big trouble. You'll feel the full force of the U.S. military. How concerned are you about that and what kind of response would you expect if they do? VOTEL: Yeah. I -- obviously, I think everyone should be concerned about that. I take some confidence in the fact that we have a very skillful commander. General Kurilla has been in place for over three years, and he's one of our finest war fighters and a very experienced commander, knows exactly what he's doing, has great relationships and really understands the region. I think if U.S. assets, U.S. military or embassies or other things are attacked, I would expect that there would a very swift response to that by the United States as there should be. That -- I think we have to send a very, very clear message. I think the administration's been doing that. I think our military has been doing that. But I would expect that if there is any fallout that has an impact on U.S. interest, that will be met with a very swift and capable response. RADDATZ: And how likely do you think it is that this war spreads, that this becomes a regional war involving the U.S.? VOTEL: Yeah. I think this largely depends on the directions that the leaders of both of these countries go. It's not particularly in Iran's interest to try to spread this, that they don't need to earn the anger of others in the region. They ultimately have to -- have to live there. So, it doesn't necessarily make a lot of sense for them to widen that. But again, as this progresses as op -- as the Iranians run out of options, and they don't have a lot of great options right now, frankly. They're fighting a little bit blind in terms of what they're doing. They don't have great options. And as they run out of the things that are available to them right now and they begin to reach out and look for other ways to have an impact, that's when I think the concern for regionalization of the conflict becomes greatest. RADDATZ: Okay. Thanks so much for joining us this morning. General, it's always good to see you. Coming up -- VOTEL: Good to be with you, Martha.
New York Post
31 minutes ago
- New York Post
Assassinated Minnesota Dem had just crossed party lines to cast decisive vote against illegal migrant handouts: ‘I did what leaders do'
The Dem Minnesota state lawmaker who was assassinated by a crazed gunman in a rubber mask crossed party lines just days earlier for a critical vote revoting health care coverage illegal migrants. Melissa Hortman, the state House Democratic leader, was the only member of her party to side with Republicans and vote to repeal taxpayer-funded healthcare coverage for adult illegal immigrants as part of this year's budget bill. She and her husband were gunned down on Saturday in Brooklyn Park just outside of Minneapolis, shortly after the same assassin is believed to have gravely wounded Democratic state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, Yvette. Cops are on the hunt for the suspect, Vance Luther Boetler, 57, a political appointee of Gov. Tim Walz, who allegedly left behind a sick 'manifesto' listing the names of 70 politicians, including Walz, according to authorities. Advertisement 8 Minnesota Rep. Melissa Hortman was killed in her home on Saturday. WKTT Just days earlier, on June 10, Hortman cast the decisive vote on a state budget bill that stripped access to MinnesotaCare benefits for illegal migrants over the age of 18. 'I did what leaders do, I stepped up and I got the job done for the people of Minnesota,' she told KTTC-TV, adding that she understood the anger of her fellow DFL members. Advertisement 'They're right to be mad at me. I think some of them are pretty, pretty angry. I think that their job was to make folks who voted for that bill feel like crap, and I think that they succeeded,' she said. 8 Rep. Hortman and her husband were killed in their Brooklyn Park home by a masked gunman. AP 8 An eerie picture of the suspect wearing a latex mask and body armor was shared by the FBI. She appeared visibly upset as she said she had voted for the healthcare provision solely to uphold the budget deal, which was later passed by the state Senate. Walz is expected to sign the budget into law. Advertisement 'I know that people will be hurt by that vote, and we worked very hard to get a budget deal that didn't include that provision,' she told the House on Tuesday following a four-hour debate, The state legislature in Saint Paul is extremely narrowly divided. The state House is controlled by Republicans, who have a majority of just one seat (67-66) and the Democratic-Farmer-Labor Party (as Minnesota Dems are called) holds the state Senate by the same margin (34-33). 8 She had voted to cut healthcare provision for illegal adult migrants in a crucial vote just days before she was killed. WKTT 8 Cops are still searching for the suspect who also killed Rep. Hortman's husband and tried to assassinate a Senator and his wife. AP Advertisement State Sen. Hoffman voted against the healthcare proposal, Alpha News reported. Although Saturday's killings are believed to be political, the specific motive for the shootings is not yet known. A photograph of a series of signs reading 'No Kings' found in the suspect's vehicle was shared by the Minnesota State Patrol in a post on X on Saturday. The slogan has become a calling card for the nationwide anti-Trump protests planned over the weekend, including several across the North Star State. 8 The suspect has been named as Vance L. Boelter, an appointee of Governor Tim Walz. AP A chilling picture believed to show Boetler wearing a creepy latex mask in doorbell cam footage was shared by the FBI on Saturday. He also sent a haunting last text message to a friend, David Carlson, at around 6 a.m. on Saturday, shortly after the shootings. 'David and Ron, I love you guys. I made some choices, and you guys don't know anything about this, but I'm going to be gone for a while. May be dead shortly, so I just want to let you know I love you guys both, and I wish it hadn't gone this way,' Carlson read from his phone while sitting on the front stoop, video shared by the Minnesota Star Tribune shows. Advertisement Further shocking details have emerged about this weekend's shootings. One of the victims Yvette Hoffman, used her body as a human shield to save her daughter's life, her nephew said. 8 Tributes have been left outside the Minnesota State Capitol in Saint Paul. REUTERS 'Early this morning, an absolute vile piece of s–t dressed as a cop broke into my aunt and uncle's house and shot him 6 times and my aunt 5 times in a political act of terrorism. My aunt threw herself on her daughter, using her body as a shield to save her life,' Mat Ollig wrote on Facebook. Advertisement Tributes have been paid to Hortman, a longtime speaker of the state House until Republicans won control, and her husband from across the political aisle. 'A formidable public servant and a fixture of the state Capitol, Melissa Hortman woke up every day determined to make our state a better place,' Walz wrote on X. 8 Rep. Hortman (R) and Sen. Hoffman, pictured in 2018. MelissaHortman/Facebook 'She served the people of Minnesota with grace, compassion, and tirelessness. Minnesota's thoughts are with her loved ones, and my prayers are with Senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette, who were shot and wounded and are being treated,' Walz's former running mate of Kamala Harris wrote. Advertisement President Trump said he had been briefed on the 'terrible shooting' in Minnesota in a post on Truth Social on Saturday. 'Our Attorney General, Pam Bondi, and the FBI, are investigating the situation, and they will be prosecuting anyone involved to the fullest extent of the law. Such horrific violence will not be tolerated in the United States of America. God Bless the great people of Minnesota, a truly great place!' he wrote.
36 minutes ago
Klobuchar on slain Minnesota lawmaker: 'Such a decent person'
Sen. Amy Klobuchar called her "friends" -- the two Minnesota state lawmakers who were shot early on Saturday in what leaders are calling an "act of targeted political violence" at their homes -- "decent people" who were simply "trying to represent the people that they were elected to represent." The Minnesota Democrat told ABC News' "This Week" anchor Martha Raddatz that people should "know" the victims of political violence and threats -- in this case, state Rep. Melissa Hortman, who was killed alongside her husband, and state Sen. John Hoffman and his wife, who underwent surgery after the attack. "She was a true leader, and I loved her work, but was always so grounded and such a decent person. I think that's probably the best word to describe her. You look at her pictures and you know what she was about. So we miss her greatly, and so when you hear about statistics about political violence and threats, I just want people to know who we're talking about," Klobuchar said about Hortman. "Or Senator Hoffman. Equally respected. Got into politics because his daughter has spina bifida and she couldn't get insurance, and he wanted to advocate for her. Decent people who didn't deserve this to happen to them," Klobuchar continued. Authorities have identified 57-year-old Vance Luther Boelter as the suspected gunman and are continuing to search for him.
