(NewsNation) — Maryland Gov. Wes Moore accused President Donald Trump and Vice President JD Vance of trying to "rig the rules" of American elections, defending his state's push toward mid-decade redistricting as a response to pressure from the White House.

During an interview with NewsNation's Chris Cuomo, Moore pointed to Trump's calls for Republican-led states to redraw congressional maps while Democratic states hold off. The governor argued that pattern, along with other moves from the administration, has forced blue states like Maryland to consider redrawing their own maps.

"We would not be having this conversation had it not been for Donald Trump and JD Vance deciding to look to rig the rules so they can make this pain permanent," Moore said.

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Cuomo pushed back, asking how Moore can criticize gerrymandering while pursuing a redistricting change that could eliminate Maryland's last remaining Republican-held congressional seat. Moore said any changes would go to voters rather than being decided by party leaders.

"We're not going to do this because political party bosses decide we're going to do this," Moore said. "We're going to put it to the people of our state and let them decide."

Moore, who was recently elected chair of the National Governors Association, said the concerns he raised are shared by governors from both parties. He cited Trump's calls to end mail-in voting and stationing federal agents near ballot boxes as examples of what he considers unconstitutional overreach into elections, which the Constitution designates as a state function.

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"These aren't subtle moves," Moore said. "These are very deliberate and intentional moves."

Moore also renewed his call for national redistricting reform, saying only 8% of congressional districts are competitive nationwide. He said that pushes candidates in both parties toward the political extremes to avoid primary challenges. Moore said a national redistricting reform bill received no Republican votes in Congress, including from Maryland Rep. Andy Harris, the state's only Republican in the House.

"I do think there needs to be a larger rethinking about how can this system now better adapt to the political environment we found ourselves in," Moore said.

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