Governor Wes Moore spoke before the National Press Club this week.

His choice of topic, crime and the myth behind it.

Moore called Maryland the example for the rest of the country.

“We’re ready to set the example by doing things like passing policies that keep our people safe,” said Moore.

In the same speech, the governor claimed crime is down nationwide.

“We know that since the 1990s incidences of violent crime have gone down across America. We’ve had fewer murders.”

But just a week before those comments, the governor was claiming crime is on the rise in Maryland, when he unveiled his three-part crime plan.

“Over the past 8 years, the number of non-fatal shootings in the state of Maryland has doubled. Over the past 8 years, the number of homicides in the state of Maryland has nearly doubled,” said Moore.

Political Analyst John Dedie says the governor is playing politics at the national level.

“It’s definitely a mixed message, but it’s a message to two different audiences,” said Dedie.

Dedie says Moore is likely making a play for a bigger office, just a few miles from Annapolis.

“The DC audience, the audience that elevates your profile, elevates you as far as national prominence. He is definitely someone people are talking about for 2028,” said Dedie.