Moore Calls Maryland Flag A “Contradiction” — But Is Change Even On The Table?

The BayNet ^ | February 5, 2026 | JB - Senior News Producer

[MinorityRepublican]

Maryland’s state flag, one of the most recognizable and widely embraced symbols in the nation, has drawn renewed attention after Gov. Wes Moore referred to it as a “contradiction” during a recent podcast appearance — remarks that appear rhetorical rather than reflective of any policy direction.

Moore made the comments while discussing mid-decade congressional redistricting during an appearance on The Press Box podcast on Jan. 28, 2026. In that context, he invoked the state’s history and identity, tying it to broader themes about division and reconciliation.

“Do I understand the history of this country? Absolutely,” Moore said. “You can’t look at the history of Maryland — I mean, literally, you look at our flag. Our flag is a contradiction because our flag is literally a Confederate symbol mixed with a Union symbol. Maryland is the northernmost southern state in this country. The bloodiest battles of the Civil War were fought in the state of Maryland. And despite that, I stand here as the governor of that same state.”

The governor’s remarks were not accompanied by any proposal to alter the state flag, nor have they been followed by legislative or executive action. No bills addressing changes to the flag have been introduced in the General Assembly, and Moore’s administration has declined to say whether his comments signal support for any future effort to revisit the design.

Adopted in 1904, the Maryland flag combines the black-and-gold Calvert family arms with the red-and-white Crossland design, a pairing that historians commonly describe as symbolizing the reunification of Marylanders after the Civil War. Over time, the flag has become a deeply rooted emblem of state pride, widely displayed at homes, businesses, sporting events, and government buildings across Maryland.

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TOPICS: US: Maryland
KEYWORDS: flag; maryland

[BenLurkin]

So sick of this crpp.

[OKSooner]

See tagline.

[MinorityRepublican]

[dfwgator]

Make no mistake, they will go after the US flag in due course.

[Sirius Lee]

If one wishes to re-implement slavery, first you must erase all history of slavery. Once that is accomplished, one can start to make the case that slavery is good.

This is their long term goal.

[Jamestown1630]

He’d better not touch our flag. It’s one of the most distinctive in the country.

[V_TWIN]

I’ll say one thing......that is without a doubt THE ugliest flag I’ve ever seen.

[ryderann]

Maybe NASCAR would like to have it.

[Jamestown1630]

Wes Moore isn’t very smart.

It really is kind of scary that the Democrats would even consider him as President material.

[V_TWIN]

“Maryland is the northernmost southern state in this country”

Huh?

[dfwgator]

Wes Moore isn’t very smart.

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He’s smarter than the voters.

[HollyB]

Fact! Want to unite the citizens of Maryland , try and change our flag.

[Jamestown1630]

I think it’s beautiful.

(The ugliest U.S. State flag is the new Minnesota flag. It doesn’t SAY or refer to anything.)

[Petrosius]

Moore is ignorant of history. The flag is the coat of arms of Lord Baltimore, the family who founded the colony of Maryland.

[pierrem15]

As usual, a complete idiot: the flag has nothing to do with either the Confederacy or Union:

"The flag of Maryland is the official flag of the U.S. state of Maryland and the 17th-century heraldic banner of arms of Cecil, 2nd Baron Baltimore. It consists of the arms of his father George, 1st Baron Baltimore (1579–1632), quartered with those of his grandmother, heiress of the Crossland family. The flag was officially adopted by the Maryland General Assembly in 1904."

The same coat of arms was flown commemorating the Maryland regiments of the Army of the Potomac at the Gettysburg Reunion.

[dfwgator]

Fact! Want to unite the citizens of Maryland , try and change our flag.

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More and more, people don’t care about the places where they live, to them it’s just a place, they have no emotional connection to it, they figure they’ll just move somewhere else in a few years anyway.

That’s why I say now, “All politics is national”.

[woweeitsme]

I was born and lived the majority of my life in Maryland.

I do still love the state (not the politics) and the flag, in my opinion, is one of the best state flags.

Changing it would be ridiculous, so I’m sure that means it’s going to happen.

[ComputerGuy]

I wore that flag at a football game in Charlottesville one time. Back when I was young and bold. And stupid.

[Jamestown1630]

South of the Mason-Dixon line.