Defiant Gov. John Bel Edwards Says He Won’t Give Up His One-Man Rule

Gov. John Bel Edwards responded to the petition by the Louisiana House terminating his emergency orders by saying the petition is unconstitutional.  He claimed his emergency orders are still in effect.  

The governor said he was no intention of giving up any of the powers he has assumed and would veto any bill passed by the legislature that attempted to curtail his power.

His position flies in the face of the clear language of the Emergency Powers Act, which describes how emergency orders of a governor shall be terminated. The act says that when the governor receives a petition terminating an emergency, he “shall” issue an order terminating it. This means it is a ministerial act about which he has no discretion. On Monday, Edwards filed suit in Baton Rouge to attempt to invalidate the House petition. It was assigned to District Judge Bill Morvant. Atty. Gen. Jeff Landry is expected to oppose the suit.