Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry is once again criticizing New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno. This time, Landry is lambasting Moreno because she didn't give him or President Donald Trump credit for sending the National Guard into New Orleans.
On Friday, Moreno announced that the National Guard would begin withdrawing from the city on Monday ahead of troops' orders to patrol the city ending a week alter. In a statement, Moreno thanked "every national guard member and their families for their service and sacrifice."
On social media, Landry chastised Moreno for what he felt was a glaring omission.
"I want Louisiana to see this: Helena Moreno has thanked everyone for the National Guard’s presence in New Orleans—except the two people responsible for it: President Donald J. Trump and me," Landry said in his initial post.
The governor followed up that statement with another in which he took credit for reducing crime in New Orleans.
"This is exactly the problem with New Orleans’ leadership," Landry said. "Who do they think is responsible for Troop NOLA or the National Guard Operation? President Donald J. Trump and I have been committed to making our state safer—including New Orleans. But at some point, city leadership must take responsibility for public safety. That is their job! I will continue doing everything within my authority to help keep New Orleans safe, but there are clear limits to the State’s responsibility. Local leaders must step up and do their part."
In a second follow-up post, Landry claimed that keeping New Orleans safe is why he championed bills that " reformed the court system" and "the Clerk’s office," referring to new laws consolidating the Orleans Parish civil and criminal clerk of courts offices and reducing the number of Orleans Parish Criminal Court judges from 12 to nine.
In a third and final follow-up post, Landry said he's willing to work with Moreno.
"I am happy to work with the city on public safety, but it must be a true partnership," Landry said. "We all have a responsibility to keep New Orleans safe, and that requires city leadership to do its part."
We reached out to Mayor Moreno's office for a response.
