Exclusive Interview: Congressman Tim Moore
- Chuck Thompson
- Nov 25, 2025
- 9 min read
Updated: Nov 27, 2025
By Chuck Thompson | The Shelby Independent
In an exclusive local interview, Congressman Tim Moore, of the 14 District, spoke with the Shelby Independent, discussing issues that affect both the district (especially Cleveland County) and the entire nation.
From the the topic of the government shutdown, to the murder of Iryna Zarutska, holding judges and magistrates accountable for allowing violent repeat offenders back on the streets – an issue that can affect any of us here in Cleveland County, Border Patrol and Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations that happened in Charlotte and the surrounding area, tax reform and homeownership, the highly anticipated N.C. Senate race and even commenting on this year’s high school football progress by Burns, Crest, Kings Mountain and Shelby High Schools, U.S. Representative Moore talked to The Shelby Independent about all of it.
Serving in the U.S. House of Representatives, Tim Moore, a Kings Mountain native, is the first congressman from Cleveland County since 1921, when Clyde Roark Hoey, a Shelby native, served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1919–1921 and in the U.S. Senate from 1945–1954. Hoey was also governor from 1937 to 1941.
Government Shutdown
Moore wasted no time getting into the discussion of the government shutdown that just ended on Nov. 12, after Democrats caused the longest shutdown in the nation’s history, lasting 43 days.
“That shutdown was so pointless,” Moore said. “I don’t like to sound partisan on everything, but that was 100 percent of Democrats allowing the far-left of their party to shut the government down even when we passed a clean CR (continuing resolution).”
Moore noted that congress was able to open government for the most part, at least through January, doubling down on the blame being solely placed across the aisle.
“The Democrats wasted all this time, hurting people all for nothing, as far as I can tell,” Moore added. “So, my hope is – since that didn’t work for them then – they won’t try this again.”
Moore noted had the situation been reversed, they shouldn’t and probably wouldn’t have shut the government down all because of how that hurts so many families when government employees aren’t paid.
Immigration
The recent surge in illegal immigration crackdown in and around the metropolitan area of Charlotte, netted roughly 350 - 370 violent offenders and others with an active search warrant.
“It helped get dangerous criminals off the street,” Moore stated, while lauding the efforts of coordinated law enforcement agencies while scolding the undeniable harsh language used and unsubstantiated accusation claims by opponents to the measure.
I really appreciate the efforts of our federal, state, and local law enforcement of the work they do every day putting their lives on the line to protect us – and what I’ve seen from the far left, calling them (law enforcement) demons and Nazis – it is wrong on every level, and I talk serious issue with that.”
Even Governor Stein made comments to rally his base over the immigration enforcement operations in North Carolina that were deemed divisive and inappropriate by Republicans.
“What the Governor did was shameful,” remarked Moore. “He was running out there criticizing people in droves. For so many years it was ‘defund the police’ and now people are calling for violence against law enforcement, and it's despicable – if you don’t like the law – change it… But what Governor Stein and other prominent democrats are saying is shameful.”
Moore stated in frustration that a majority of the media want to gloss over the fact that dangerous criminals were taken off the street, trying to sell the idea to the public that it was just fear and panic.
However, he noted it was undeniable, by anyone following the arrests, that domestic abusers, a murderer and other violent criminals were captured and it’s difficult for anyone to be against removing dangerous offenders.
Just a few of those netted in the recent Charlotte operations included Walter Jose Esquivel, a criminal from Guatemala with a final order of removal from 2022, convicted for domestic violence, threats and assaults and previously arrested for injury to personal property. Carlos Torres-Antonio, a criminal from Mexico, convicted for driving while intoxicated, driving without a valid license, and previously arrested for assault with a deadly weapon. Jose Alberto Pena, a criminal from Belize, convicted for breaking and entering, larceny, and tampering with a vehicle and previously arrested for robbery with a firearm/dangerous weapon. Moises Benitez-Diaz, a criminal from Mexico, convicted for felony larceny and previously arrested for possession of stolen goods and Junior Hilario Euceda-Rosales, a criminal from Honduras with an active immigration warrant, convicted for possession of controlled substances, criminal trespass, illegal reentry and previously arrested for lewd conduct, battery, fleeing, and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Moore also mentioned, in regard to the recent actions, that he will look into certain aspects of the operation by making inquiries to see how the operation was handled but to remember that being here illegally, or undocumented, however one wants to word it, is itself illegal and therefore a crime. He also said if people want the laws changed then the laws have to be changed, but until then it is breaking the law to be here without going through the proper channels as so many do every year, following the rules, waiting in line to become American citizens.
“We had four years under President Biden, where millions came into the country illegally; that’s where this problem started and now President Trump is having to clean this up.”
Moore represents a diverse range of thinking and policy in a congressional district that spans through Rutherford, Cleveland, Gaston and Mecklenburg Counties, noting the problems in Mecklenburg are much worse than in Cleveland, where the law is abided.
“You look at the sheriff in Mecklenburg who created a situation, where Charlotte was basically a sanctuary city, and then you look at Gaston, and Shelby – anywhere in Cleveland where they uphold immigration law. The fact is that the lawlessness was led by Mecklenburg County.”
Moore is referring to Mecklenburg County Sheriff Garry McFadden, who was elected on his promise not to fully cooperate with ICE. McFadden has a distinguished career, having one of the highest homicide solving rates in the department’s history, and is popular with his department, who announced that he will be seeking a third term as sheriff.
McFadden stated in previous interviews that while his office adheres to the law, it would not participate in actual enforcement operations with ICE, basically refusing to cooperate.
U.S. Representative Moore also hopes to see more immigration reform while in Congress. “It’s such a process just going through the immigration steps, but I’m with the President and support his process on the matter.”
Moore concluded the topic by stating he thinks there should be additional immigration operations conducted in North Carolina.
N.C. Bail Reform
In 2022 Iryna Zarutska and her family escaped war-ravaged Ukraine, only to be murdered in Charlotte on a light rail train on the Lynx Blue Line near the East/West Boulevard station in Charlotte, on Aug. 22 of this year. Her killer had 14 prior arrests, all in Mecklenburg County, dating back to 2007 and was still free and thus allowing him the opportunity to murder Zarutska for no reason.
Decarlos Dejuan Brown Jr., 34, had been previously convicted of breaking and entering. While on probation, he was arrested for armed robbery and possession of a firearm by a felon. Brown was convicted of armed robbery and incarcerated in state prison from 2015 to September 2020, when he was released early along with hundreds of other prisoners by former Governor Roy Cooper during Covid.
Brown's mother claimed she had sought involuntary commitment for his mental health issues, but that it was denied. The Associated Press previously reported that involuntary commitments are difficult to obtain unless a court finds the person to be dangerous.
Therein lies the problem. If 14 arrests and convictions of breaking and entering, armed robbery and possession of a firearm, just to name a few of the 14 prior arrests, aren’t considered dangerous, what is and where is the problem?
Congressman Moore said they had a House Judiciary Subcommittee on Oversight field hearing in Charlotte, where they heard the testimony of both crime victims and from law enforcement.
“We had law enforcement testify that when they arrest someone the person would make bond while the officer was still filling out the paperwork.” Moore stated, noting the officer’s frustration with doing the duty and the suspect is already on the streets again, sometimes being arrested again before the ink is dry on the previous arrest.
He said the issue lies within some very far-left liberal judges and magistrates letting dangerous criminals back out on the street – “And when they get released, they would commit another crime.”
“When judges let dangerous repeat offenders walk free despite knowing the risks, and someone gets hurt or killed, there has to be accountability,” said Moore. “We’ve seen too many cases, like the murder of Iryna Zarutska that were completely preventable if their murderers had been behind bars where they belonged. The judicial systems in Democrat-run cities that favor criminals over victims are failing innocent Americans."
“I have sponsored two bills to address this,” he continued, “The Judicial Accountability for Public Safety Act, holds judges and magistrates liable for recklessness in allowing a criminal back on the street, and a bill with (Elise) Stefanik, too. The Keep Violent Criminals Off Our Streets Act will prevent any state or local government from receiving federal funds if they have a policy that prohibits the use of cash bail for all offenders or fail to implement pretrial detention practices for all violent offenders, including juveniles."
Elise Stefanik serves as the U.S. Representative for New York's 21st congressional district.
Local economy, taxes and homeownership
Since 2021 the value of $100 now takes roughly the equivalent of $125 to match the same buying power. Anyone that hasn’t had a 25% raise in the last four to five years has taken a pay cut; in fact, if you do make a quarter more than you made five years ago you’re actually making the same amount of money as you did before Covid. Anyone else is bringing home less than they did only four to five years ago, even if they have had a raise but less than 25% of their pre-Covid salary.
And the price of homes has skyrocketed beyond that.
The average price of a home in the 2019-2020 market was $235,000. Today in 2025, the average price of that same house is $379,700. An increase of almost 62% brought on over the past five years due to high inflation, high housing demand due to an influx of unlawful entry, and thus supply and demand.
“I believe that the working families tax relief act or ‘The Big Beautiful Bill’ will be paying dividends for years,” explained Moore. “Because what it is going to do is allow small businesses to expand and help our friends and neighbors to keep their money and make it easier for everyone to support their families.”
He said affordability woes in Cleveland County haven't been as extreme as other places, but added, “We’re looking to make home ownership more affordable.”
Moore noted how the average age of a homeowner has reached its highest level in decades, at over 40 years old now for the first-time buyer, and that needs to change.
“Folks in their 20’s and 30’s, it’s almost impossible for them to buy a home and that is thanks to the previous (Biden) administration for the extreme cost of homeownership. We continue to try to clean up their mess every day,” he said.
Moore also mentioned food and fuel costs, stating, “We’ve seen food and fuel costs come down, even though they’re still too high, but we’re seeing the results going in the right direction.”
N.C. Senate Race
As the highly anticipated North Carolina Senate race heats up between former Gov. Cooper, Michael Whatley and Don Brown, the Congressman said he is 100% in support of Whatley.
“He did a great job running the RNC (Republican National Committee) and like me has been endorsed by President Trump and advocating for America First,” noted Moore. “He will help tackle issues that have been plaguing our country for decades. Michael loves his county and loves his state and is a solid conservative.”
Cleveland County Football
“We’ve got such a great history of athletes,” Moore said of Burns, Crest, Kings Mountain and Shelby making it to round three of the playoffs. Kings Mountain and Burns each lost their games this past Friday night. Crest and Shelby will advance to the next round. “I wish them all the best,” Moore said enthusiastically.
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Chuck Thompson is a reporter and columnist for The Shelby Independent.
Copyright 2025 The Shelby Independent. Do not reprint without written permission.
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