Wes Moore Can't Even Fire Someone Correctly

Schiraldi saga highlights the dangers of electing a political naïf with no relevant leadership experience and limited understanding of how Maryland operates as Governor

Yesterday’s big news in Maryland politics was embattled Juvenile Services Secretary Vincent Schiraldi announcing his resignation from his post:

Vincent Schiraldi, whose two years as secretary of the troubled Maryland Department of Juvenile Services were marked by heavy criticism from some state lawmakers, resigned Monday.

Critics called the move long overdue but Schiraldi, 66, said in an interview Monday evening that he’s pleased with the work he and his team did under the leadership of Gov. Wes Moore (D).

“It was a real honor working with Gov. Moore,” he said. “I wish him luck as he continues to drive down crime and improve outcomes for young people. His efforts to abolish childhood poverty will reap benefits, not only for kids, but also they’ll improve crime rates even further than they already are.”

But Governor Moore seems to differ in his take from Schiraldi’s assessment that Schiraldi resigned by choice. Or resigned at all:

Moore told T.J. Smith on Tuesday that the decision was his, saying, “I ordered his resignation.”

Schiraldi’s role has been called into question more and more over the last year as juvenile crime increased across Maryland.

Multiple Maryland leaders have addressed the departure.

“I did it because we’ve been talking for a while,” Moore explained. “While there have been some very real and meaningful improvements that we have seen when it comes to public safety, we’ve seen how Maryland is actually helping to lead the country.”

So Schiraldi was “ordered” to resign. Which is to say that Moore fired him? And why is Wes Moore so incompetent that he can’t even fire somebody correctly?