[cheering]

And I think about the kind of stuff that's happening right now and the momentum we have right now, like this is the thing that we've been dreaming about for years, lifetimes.

And so the idea right now that we can have the Baltimore renaissance that for so many of us, we hoped for for so long, where you have a whole city that's standing up, and you have a whole state that is willing to stand up with them, we're not gonna lose this moment.

Because this time right now, this is like what the people who came before us, this is what they fought for.

Yeah

... making sure that Baltimore and Maryland was getting the kind of shine that it got during that moment.

And, um, and I remember during that speech, I talked about Baltimore.

In that speech, I talked about the progress and the momentum we're seeing in Baltimore.

[cheering]

And I think about the kind of stuff that's happening right now and the momentum we have right now, like, this is the thing that we've been dreaming about for years, lifetimes.

And so the idea right now that we can have the Baltimore renaissance that, for so many of us, we hoped for for so long, where you have a whole city that's standing up, and you have a whole state that is willing to stand up with them, we're not gonna lose this moment.

Because this time right now, this is, like, what the people who came before us, this is what they fought for.

Yeah

... making sure that Baltimore and Maryland was getting the kind of shine that it got during that moment.

And, um, and I remember during that speech, I talked about Baltimore.

In that speech, I talked about the progress and the momentum we're seeing in Baltimore.

I don't know if you'll be there, because I know the Ravens are out of town, but you've got Commanders, Seahawks, 1 o'clock, Northwest Stadium.

Honestly, here's the thing.

Even if Jaden was in, this is a tough game.

Because Seattle is a really good team, and Seattle's defense really is a very good defense.

Now, to be clear, I don't think Mariota is a horrible quarterback.

I actually think Mariota, especially in times when he's had to step up and play, he's actually played pretty well.

And one thing about Mariota that he does, he doesn't throw away games, which is exactly what you want for a backup quarterback.

So, I mean, let's get to your game then because I think it's kind of crazy that Cowboys-Ravens is being played in Brazil in week three on a field that most people think isn't ready for NFL play.

I don't know if you'll be there, because I know the Ravens are out of town, but you've got Commanders, Seahawks, 1 o'clock, Northwest Stadium.

Honestly, here's the thing.

Even if jayden was in this is a tough game um because seattle is a really good team and seattle defense uh you know really is a very good defense and now now to be clear i don't think mariotta is is a horrible quarterback i actually think mariotta especially in times when he's had to step up and play he's actually played pretty well and one thing about mariotta that he does he doesn't throw away games um which is exactly what you want for a backup quarterback your backup quarterback you're not there to win games just don't lose them And Marriott is actually pretty good at that.

I still, though, just think that Seattle is just a team that's in another class right now.

I think they are one of the best coached teams in the NFL.

I think they have unbelievable talent on both sides of the ball.

And so I think even with Jaden in, this was going to be a tough game.

So, I mean, let's get to your game then because I think it's kind of crazy that Cowboys-Ravens is being played in Brazil in Week 3 on a field that most people think isn't ready for NFL play.

I don't know if you'll be there, because I know the Ravens are out of town, but you've got Commanders, Seahawks, 1 o'clock, Northwest Stadium.

Honestly, here's the thing.

Even if Jaden was in, this is a tough game.

Because Seattle is a really good team, and Seattle's defense really is a very good defense.

Now, to be clear, I don't think Mariota is a horrible quarterback.

I actually think Mariota, especially in times when he's had to step up and play, he's actually played pretty well.

And one thing about Mariota that he does, he doesn't throw away games, which is exactly what you want for a backup quarterback.

of crazy that Cowboys Ravens is being played in Brazil in week three on a field that most people think isn't ready for NFL play.

Where do you fall on that very, very wide spectrum of, of what the federal government should be doing about these programs, about the software specifically?

Yeah.

Well, I, I, I, it's important that the president understands that the, the issue of AI is not a branding problem.

[laughs] That's, that's not what people are concerned about.

Uh, people are concerned when you're hearing the leaders of the industry who are saying that there is a, a, not a zero percent chance that this could actually wipe out humanity.

Um, that's something that people should take seriously.

But instead of taking it seriously, we've now seen how during that same week, uh, Congress was sent home, and the House of Representatives aren't even there.

How has, how has your thinking just about the, the technology and, and its potential for both good and bad evolved? Can you kind of sketch that out for me?

Do you believe that anything that you said there is now contradicted by your executive order?

No, because I think that even just yesterday, I mean, I was in College Park, Maryland, opening up the Discovery District, talking about the $1 billion capital of quantum initiative that we have, which is now bringing hundreds of jobs down to College Park and making sure that Maryland can become the leading quantum element within the country.

But I also do believe that you still have to protect your people.

I still also believe that you still need to have guardrails.

And I was very clear, in fact, in that same speech where I talked about that we need to make sure that these data center companies are paying for all their energy costs, that they're making sure they're not polluting our air and polluting our water.

that they're hiring local union workers and that local jurisdictions still get the final say.

And so, you know, with this executive order, it just ensures that all of those things are now solidified and hardened.

What do you say to Maryland's who are fearful about the fact that AI is increasing so much?

What does that need to look like on the federal level, the political ad aspect of it?

Well, I mean, I'm very proud of the fact that, that yes, in Maryland, we have, we have banned the usage of, of, of AI in any forms of political campaigns.

And in fact, I've laid out guidelines and, and, and frameworks about how we have to think about AI within our future, which talks about, you know, protecting our infrastructure and also protecting our pocketbooks and protecting our democracy, making sure that workers and union workers and union leaders are actually at the table when we're talking about what does the future of AI look like, and making sure we're protecting our kids, protecting them from deepfakes, protecting them from, you know, these no- nefarious algorithms, uh, by being able to say we've gotta protect our children in this, in this time.

It does matter.

And I think what's gonna happen with states is, uh, this all cannot happen without federal leadership, but the states can be the laboratories.

The states can be the places where you see good practices that can show themselves and then being brought to scale.

But when we are watching a federal administration who is calling it a hoax simply because over 30% of his personal portfolio is AI companies, and he's making money on this, we know that we do not have time to either wait for the White House to get it right, nor time for Congress [laughs] to be able to do their job and hold this administration accountable, because they have not done this for a year and a half.

Um, th- the challenge is though how are they gonna know what to look for, how are they gonna get participation? I bring that up 'cause I wonder do you think what's being proposed right now in Congress is satisfactory? Like, if you could wave a magic wand and have one thing done on a federal level to a- address the overall threat right now, what would that be?

We've heard these godfathers of the AI movement say, "Please slow us down before it's too late." How are you beginning to do that in your state?

Yeah, and I think the concerns are real, and I think people are nervous and, uh, and we just can't wait for Congress to come back to work, uh, in order for us to actually have some guardrails.

That in the state of Maryland, we believe that our people should be in control of this, uh, not the robots, and not waiting for Washington to be able to, to lead on this.

And so we've put together guardrails that really enforces our, our, our, our privacy, dev- uh, enforces our rights, uh, and also makes sure that we are gonna be protected.

And so there's three guardrails that we have laid out.

You know, the first is ensuring that we're gonna be... that our infrastructure can be protected and our pocketbooks can be protected from this growth within AI.

The second is that our unions have to be at the table in this, and our workers have to be at the table, and that includes investment in training, but also making sure that this technology is there to augment us and not there to replace us.

So how are you ensuring in Maryland that you've got the right people making these decisions and then enforcing them as well?

As we get closer to November and what can be reasonably done about that?

I think the president doesn't need an excuse to try to cheat.

He's been doing it his whole life.

And I also think that he does not need any type of reason to try to go after elections.

He's been doing it for the past year and a half.

He did it when he was talking about how he wanted to nationalize elections, even though he knows that that is against the law and it's unconstitutional.

He did it when he said he wanted access to our voter rolls when he knows he has no reason to have access to it.

But, you know, when the people who are actually building that technology are saying that they're worried, right, about their ability to control it, does that change your calculus about what the risks are to communities?

When you hear this, do you understand how upset this makes people?

I understand that and I think that I want the people of my state to understand that I have no tolerance for violent offenders, period and full stop.

And there is nothing that we will not do to make sure that our communities are safe.

It's the reason we made historic investments in local law enforcement.

It's the reason that we have been very clear that if someone commits a violent crime in our state, I want them in handcuffs in 24 hours and they will have accountability coming their way.

And we've now seen that Maryland has now had amongst the fastest drops in violent crime anywhere in the United States of America.

So I will work with all partners, particularly when it comes to dealing with violent offenders, removing them from our communities, and making sure they are accountable.

What does that tell you about the expected turnout?

Can you talk a little bit about what you've been able to get done in the state of

Maryland? Well, you know, and honestly, and one of the reasons that I've been pushing so hard for Keisha and David and Aaron and Jermaine is who your governor is matters.

Because your governor is not just a person who can help to push back against the chaos that's coming from the White House.

A governor can actually push forward.

And so, for example, you know, when we said that, you know what, we want to address the scourge of violence within our society.

And we're like, but we're going to do it the smart way.

And so we said, we're going to work with the mayor and work with local law enforcement.

Go ahead and do it.

Will that continue as the Chiefs take on the Colts?

It was crazy, wasn't it? He was gassional.

I mean, it was nuts.

I mean, he had, what, like 200 yards? I mean, and like two touchdowns.

It was crazy watching what he was pulling off.

But, you know, the other thing I'll say is, you know, and I know we talked about it on the show.

I was like, nah, you know, Patrick Mahomes is – You know, he's like, you know, Patrick, you know, old Mahomes and this and that.

Gov, you got two desperate teams here trying to avoid 0-2 playing in Jerry World.

How do you see that game going?

You know, I think right now it'll be interesting to see, um, the Rams, the Rams still actually have something to prove because they have a great team on paper.

Um, but, I cannot get out of my head that Australia game.

I can't.

And it wasn't just that.

Every part of them looked bad.

The offense looked bad.

Gov, you got two desperate teams here trying to avoid 0-2 playing in Jerry World.

How do you see that game going?

You know, I think right now it'll be interesting to see, um, the Rams, the Rams still actually have something to prove because they have a great team on paper.

Um, but, I cannot get out of my head that Australia game.

I can't.

And it wasn't just that.

Every part of them looked bad.

The offense looked bad.

Gov, you've got two desperate teams here trying to avoid 0-2 playing in Jerry World.

But if there's one thing you wish candidates were focusing on more, what is it? Child poverty.

I do not understand how we can tolerate the level of child poverty that exists within our society.

That was why I ran.

That was my why.

That is a thing that animates me more than anything else because it is so intentional and it is so deeply unfair that we're allowing children to have their fate determined before they even have a say.

It's one of the biggest reasons that I think H.R. Bill was such a disastrous and inhumane piece of legislation to pass because it's one of the greatest assaults on our children.

that you could ever possibly imagine.

Have you? Like, how do you square that?

The Trump administration obviously takes a different tack, and there are a lot of people that we've spoken with in business who say you've got to be careful if you put a moratorium on these things, if you really slow things down, that we as a nation will fall behind if we are not building out this critical infrastructure, if we're not keeping up with things.

Well, I think there's a collective, honestly, just bewilderment in the way that we've been approaching AI collectively.

You know, I can tell you over the past 72 hours, I have been on the horn with at least half a dozen, both current governors and former governors, Democrats and Republicans, who are very concerned and actually confused.

behind what we are hearing from Washington, D.C. on this very issue.

We believe that AI can be utilized for real transformation when it comes to healthcare and education, and we're utilizing it within our states.

But there have to be guardrails there needs to be a clear understanding as to what is happening.

So when you're having the nation's governors, both Democrats and Republicans, who are sounding the alarms and feel like we're not at the table in these conversations, and when you're having the tech leaders who are saying that we need to be able to have greater controls and guardrails on this, it just feels like at this point, the Trump administration is on an island on this, where everyone else is calling for more involvement and more transparency.

If you win reelection as governor, when will you decide when and if you're going to be running for president?

So how do you navigate that? The fact that you need to have your own independence, and states do have their own rights and their own authorities, but you have to cooperate with the feds on that funding stream, too.

Well, we all understand the important relationship that we have with our with our federal partners.

And it includes on everything that we are dealing with from, you know, how we're thinking about immigration, how we're thinking about voting rights, how we think about all these various aspects that we deal with health care as governors.

But we also know that the relationship is a partnership and it's not subservient.

that there are certain responsibilities and certain rights that we have, that the founding fathers felt so important that they literally made it part of the Bill of Rights.

They literally made it one of the first ten amendments that they put towards the Constitution, that there are certain things that the states need to have primary authority on, and that there are other things that the states need to make sure that our voices are being heard on.

You've been critical of both the Biden and Trump administrations about how they've handled that.

I have.

So how do you navigate that? The fact that you need to have your own independence and states do have their own rights and their own authorities, but you have to cooperate with the feds on that funding stream, too.

Well, we all understand the important relationship that we have with our with our federal partners.

And it includes on everything that we are dealing with from, you know, how we're thinking about immigration, how we're thinking about voting rights, how we think about all these various aspects that we deal with health care as governors.

But we also know that the relationship is a partnership and it's not subservient.

that there are certain responsibilities and certain rights that we have, that the founding fathers felt so important that they literally made it part of the Bill of Rights.

They literally made it one of the first ten amendments that they put towards the Constitution, that there are certain things that the states need to have primary authority on, and that there are other things that the states need to make sure that our voices are being heard on.

You've been critical of both the Biden and Trump administrations about how they've handled that.

I have.

But I wanted to ask you first, where were you 25 years ago today, and what did you think about that day?

Well, you know, my little sister was actually born on September 11th, 1980.

So September 11th was actually her 21st birthday.

And so my mom and I were actually going up to go see her, to go celebrate her 21st birthday.

She was in school up in New Jersey at the time.

and that's when we were getting word about uh about what had happened and you know first about the the first plane hitting and then eventually realizing that this was not an accident that we were we were a nation under attack and um and and i remember at you know in that moment uh you know being able to and you know trying to call all so many of my friends in new york and trying to get check-ins and not being able to get through on the phone because the phone lines were just completely, completely blocked.

And, you know, when I express to people now who are coming up, you know, kind of who asked me what was that day like, the answer was just, it was just heartbreak and chaos.

Did the events of September 11th really play into your military career? And how much of it was kind of a topic of conversation amongst you and your fellow soldiers while you were there in Afghanistan?

I know, but actually

for the Chiefs it is because remember, they were running through teams for years.

But I just don't think this is the same Chiefs team.

And the big question that the Chiefs have got to figure out is, you know, Patrick Mahomes is coming off of knee surgery.

And he's not coming off of knee surgery at 25 years old.

were 26 years old and so i just don't i'm i'm not until i see something different i'm just not a believer that we're gonna see the same patrick mahomes ever again which was just like you know first ballot hall of famer patrick mahomes i just don't know if we're gonna see that if we're gonna see that ever again um and so i and i do think the broncos have a really good young core i um But I got to tell you, like, I really think Bo Nix, I mean, he's a baller.

And especially when it comes to primetime games, I saw, you know, he's 6-1 in primetime games.

What do you think? I

Where are you going with that?

Actually, I think this is one of the best games of the week.

Yeah.

And this one's hard.

I think for a lot of people who are thinking Chiefs, I think they're still thinking about the Chiefs of the past.

I think that the Chiefs, you know, we have not seen, you know, a world-class Chiefs team in like 15 months, if we're just being honest.

You sound like that's so long.

What do you think?

But actually, for the Chiefs,

it is because remember, they were running through teams for years.

But I just don't think this is the same Chiefs team.

And the big question that the Chiefs have got to figure out is, you know, Patrick Mahomes is coming off of knee surgery.

And he's not coming off of knee surgery at 25 years old.

were 26 years old and so i just don't i'm i'm not until i see something different i'm just not a believer that we're gonna see the same patrick mahomes ever again which was just like you know first ballot hall of famer patrick mahomes i just don't know if we're gonna see that if we're gonna see that ever again um and so i and i do think the broncos have a really good young core i um But I got to tell you, like, I really think Bo Nix, I mean, he's a baller.

And especially when it comes to primetime games, I saw, you know, he's 6-1 in primetime games.

What do you think?

Where should we be on that? Where should the party be on that? Or should it just shake out in each individual state? How should I think about this? Because it's an issue I'm just not that familiar with.

Yeah, you know, and it's funny because this is something, I was talking about this at the start of the year during my State of the State.

There were dozens of data centers already in the state of Maryland when I became the governor.

But what I saw was while there were a lot of data centers, there weren't a lot of guidelines.

And so when we came on board, I just said, okay, listen, here's how we're going to do this.

In order for something, in order for a data center to get any type of support from me or from this administration, they both need to, you know, they need to bring their own energy and bring their own power.

I refuse to let my people pay a cent for what your infrastructure is doing and also for any of your improvements.

Do you leave the work at the door? How do those conversations happen? You having dinners every night? What does that look like for Westmore?

What can you do as a governor of a state to help in case this mail-in ballot thing really just gets worse?

Well, I think for a lot of us are worried.

And that is why for months we have actually been working together as governors and as statewide elected officials to remind each other of our power and remind each other of our ability and the levers that we do uniquely have.

Because what people, you know, what we want people to remember is this, is that the power of the vote does not fall with the president of the United States.

It falls with our states.

And in fact, if you look at the state of Maryland, the president does not determine how our elections work.

And frankly, neither does the governor.

mine,