Congressman Tim Moore Brings Conservative Agenda—and Humor—to Rutherford GOP Headquarters
Forest City, N.C. — In a wide-ranging, often fiery address Thursday evening, U.S. Congressman Tim Moore (R, NC-14) returned to his roots in western North Carolina, rallying a crowd of local Republicans with strong support for President Trump, bold calls for fiscal responsibility, and sharp criticism of the Biden administration’s immigration and spending policies. The event, held at the new Rutherford County Republican Party headquarters at 171 E. Main St. in Forest City, marked Moore’s first major local appearance since taking office in Congress following his long tenure as Speaker of the North Carolina House.
“I just can’t tell you how amazing it is to be in Washington right now, when we’re actually finally getting conservative policy done,” Moore said. “And I can’t say enough good things about President Trump. I mean, he is just, he’s a machine. I don’t think he sleeps.”
Strong Praise for Trump, Stronger Critique of Biden
Moore, who has quickly positioned himself as a conservative voice in the House Budget Committee, praised Trump’s leadership repeatedly.
“You think about the respect that folks have for the United States on the world stage right now,” Moore said. “You hadn’t heard much of a peep out of anybody because they know not to mess with President Trump. They know he means business.”
He contrasted that with criticism of the previous administration’s handling of the border and the economy.
“For four years, Biden—or whoever was really running the show—essentially threw the door open on the southern border,” Moore said. “We’re trying to clean up four years of mess.”
“Big, Beautiful Bill”: Tackling the National Debt
Moore highlighted recent legislative victories, including what he called “the big, beautiful bill” to address federal spending and reduce the national debt.
“We spend more just on the interest on the national debt than we do to fund the entire military,” Moore warned. “$900 billion. That’s money just—poof. Might as well light it on fire.”
He credited the bill’s progress to the Republican-controlled House and to “common sense reigning in this out-of-control spending,” noting the effort to eliminate waste and fraud through a separate rescission package.
“We’ve cut that faucet off,” Moore said of questionable federal grants. “We’re going to rein that in.”
Cracking Down on NGOs and “Crazy Nonprofits”
One of Moore’s most pointed critiques was directed at what he described as left-leaning nonprofits and NGOs he believes received “billions” in federal funding during the COVID-era spending packages.
“I’m convinced that we’re going to find out a lot of these federal grants… ended up funneling their way back in to fund operations by folks on the left…like No Kings (protests),” he said. “The law is already there to prosecute them. Now it’s up to the Attorney General—and Pam Bondi has signaled she’s going to do that.”
No Kings Day, held on June 14, was organized by the progressive group Indivisible, is largely funded by progressive mega-donors, including $8 million from George Soros’s Open Society Foundations.
In Rutherfordton, about 100 protestors gathered at the courthouse. Organizers said on an after-action call, “What’s next in the fight?” that about 5 million people participated nationwide. More demonstrations are planned, Indivisible leaders, married couple Ezra Levin and Leah Greenberg, said this week during their “What’s the plan?” virtual meeting. It’s part of their political strategy to try to flip Congress in 2026, they’ve said. The Indivisible Guide, part of a hybrid political action committee formed in 2022, was started from a Google Doc discussed at a bar in 2016. Levin said they took the idea from Tea Party Republicans. In 2017, he said, “As former congressional staffers, Leah and I decided in that bar to write a guide aimed at demystifying the congressional policy process and copying the Tea Party strategies and tactics.”
Immigration, Self-Deportation, and “President Autopen”
Immigration policy took center stage during the audience Q&A at the local GOP meeting. Moore repeated allegations that “dangerous people” entered the U.S. during the last administration and said his office is focused on enforcement and deportation, starting with “the really bad dudes.”
He also fielded a question about the federal program offering $1,000 for self-deportation. “I haven’t heard much feedback,” Moore said, adding, “It’s probably a money saver. If it deals with it, fine.”
Moore showed no hesitation in saying that it is a new era at the White House. “President Autopen—President Biden—whoever it was, they let the door wide open. And we’re cleaning it up,” he said.
Ballots, English-Only Laws, and the Census
When asked about ballot translations and immigration’s impact on the census, Moore didn’t hold back: “We only ought to count U.S. citizens, period. That way you don’t get this gamemanship.”
On English as the official language: “To me, that’s a no-brainer. If you’re going to live in this country, you need to know English.” President Trump signed an Executive Order in March making English the official language of the United States.
Multiple local, state and federal agencies are ignoring it, including the Henderson County Sheriff’s Office, who routinely post social media messages in Spanish.
Moore noted that during his time in the state legislature, North Carolina passed laws prohibiting illegal immigrants from obtaining driver’s licenses—a policy he fully supports.
Moore’s district does not include Henderson County; it is part of the 11th congressional district, led by Republican Rep. Chuck Edwards, who beat former Rep. Madison Cawthorn in the 2022 primary. The Lake Lure area was part of the 11th district until congressional maps were redrawn.
Facebook Fame and “Fat Guy Humor”
Mixing policy with a dose of humor, Moore recounted how a video tour of a secret stairwell in the Capitol went viral.
“We just popped that thing up to show an old stairwell,” Moore said, grinning. “It got over 3 million views. And then some guy online said, ‘You didn’t get in there because you’re so fat.’ I said, ‘Newsflash. I’m a fat guy. I’m from Kings Mountain and I like to eat barbecue.’ So I did a follow-up video showing I could get in and out of the hole.”
On Local Efforts: “We Fought for Chimney Rock”
Moore made a point to highlight federal coordination with his office on disaster recovery, especially after Hurricane Helene.
“We worked with the administration to finally help get the new temporary wastewater treatment plant for Chimney Rock,” Moore said. “That’s the kind of thing FEMA is doing under Trump now—making things happen and getting things done.”
He pledged ongoing support for local governments: “We’re working to make sure they get reimbursed for the costs incurred, and more importantly, to help folks who lost everything through no fault of their own.”
Unfiltered Q&A: Foreign Investment, Work Visas, and Deer Signs
Audience questions ranged from tax policy and remittance taxes to stories about deer crossing signs. Moore took them all in stride—often with a joke.
“We had a lady call and say, ‘What are you idiots doing putting deer crosses in the middle of the highway?’” Moore recalled, laughing. “I said, ‘I’m going to buy you a globe.’”
He also fielded a serious complaint from a business owner frustrated by federal inconsistencies in enforcing immigration documentation laws. Moore sympathized: “The government is not making it easy for employers. It’s a sad thing.”
On work visas: “If someone’s working, holding a job, doing fine, and goes through the proper steps—it’s not citizenship, it’s a visa—I have no issue with that.”
Local Praise and a Parting Salute
Moore closed his remarks with gratitude for the crowd and a plug for his weekly newsletter. “It’s got my ugly picture on it, but it’s informative,” he quipped.
He also praised the Rutherford GOP’s organization and turnout.
“I feel like I’m coming in for the Grammys or something,” he joked. “Y’all are one of the most organized county parties in the state.”
Moore added, “Y’all turn out more folks for a Lincoln Reagan dinner than sometimes even the state party does. This doesn’t go unnoticed. It makes a difference.” The fundraising dinner is scheduled for September 12 at the Tryon International Equestrian Center.
Opinion & Analysis: Cops & Congress Commentary
Five Things to Watch After Tim Moore’s Visit to Rutherford County
Congressman Moore delivered a clear, confident message: Conservative leadership is back, and WNC has a seat at the table. As the former Speaker of the North Carolina House and now a rising voice in Congress, Moore isn’t just making promises—he’s moving policy. As a conservative—and as a journalist—I listened closely, recorded every word, and came away with a clear message: Moore may be new to Congress, but he’s no rookie when it comes to public service, plain talk, or putting people first. Here are five things I’m watching in the days ahead:
1. Will the Senate act on the “big, beautiful bill”?
Moore touted House passage of a major reconciliation package aimed at cutting federal spending and tackling the national debt. The Senate now holds the cards. If this bill stalls—or gets stripped—watch for Moore and other House conservatives to push back hard.
2. Is there follow-through on cracking down on NGOs?
Moore strongly suggested that left-leaning nonprofits misused federal funds during the pandemic—and that accountability is coming. He pointed to Bondi as someone ready to take action. Whether DOJ investigations materialize is a test of how serious this Congress is about fraud and abuse.
3. Will immigration enforcement shift from triage to long-term reform?
Moore says the priority now is deporting the most dangerous offenders and finishing the wall. But he also acknowledged the need for a “work visa path”—not citizenship—for those here illegally but contributing. The question is whether that practical approach survives an election year.
4. What role does Moore play in the Republican strategy for 2026?
Moore’s command of policy and his ability to rally a crowd signal a broader role ahead. He’s not just a backbench freshman—he’s a communicator and a committee voice. His every vote and media appearance will shape GOP momentum in North Carolina and beyond.
5. How will Moore respond to FEMA’s next move in Chimney Rock?
The congressman says his office helped fast-track the temporary wastewater plant—a critical post-Hurricane Helene need. If federal recovery lags or reimbursements stall, Moore’s next steps will matter. He’s put his name on this fix. Now, we’ll see what kind of oversight follows.
Bottom Line:
Moore’s return to Rutherford wasn’t just a speech—it was a signal. He’s watching the numbers, reading the room, and building a conservative coalition ready for 2026. Whether you agree with him or not, Tim Moore is a name to keep watching.
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