Gov. John Bel Edwards traveled to Washington, D.C., on Jan. 18 and will attend the Inauguration of President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris this week, representing the state of Louisiana at the ceremonial transition of power from one administration to the next.
Gov. Edwards said:
“Less than two weeks ago, our United States Capitol was besieged by a riotous mob determined to prevent Congress from performing its constitutional duty to count electoral college votes certified by the states. Their insurrectionist actions were patently un-American and mark one of the most shameful days in our country’s history.
But after great darkness comes the light. Congress did count and certify the electoral college votes, and on Wednesday, Joe Biden and Kamala Harris will become our nation’s president and vice president. I congratulate them again on their victory, and I am proud to represent the people of Louisiana at this historic inauguration. This ceremony will mark a chance for a fresh start, new energy and bold leadership to overcome the many significant challenges facing our country.
The challenges seem insurmountable some days – the pandemic, racial inequalities, a struggling economy, rampant misinformation and deep divisions in our communities, to name a few. And while it will not be easy to unite our country, that should never deter us from always working to do better, to be better.
I renew my commitment to my fellow Louisianans and my fellow Americans to continue working with the White House and the new President and Vice President to improve our state and our nation. Louisiana has struggled much over the past year, but our people are kind, strong and resilient, and there is no task too big for us to tackle if we put aside our differences and work together.
I look forward to working with President-elect Biden, and I especially congratulate Kamala Harris, who as Vice President-elect, is the living embodiment of the dreams and aspirations of countless Americans, particularly women and people of color, who have long fought for equality and a seat at the table.
I am grateful for the close working relationship I have had with the Trump administration, especially throughout the multiple natural disasters our state has faced. Hurricane recovery, in addition to the COVID-19 response, is ongoing, and I have already begun working with President-elect Biden’s administration to ensure that these important issues remain a priority.
I am also grateful to all of the people working to keep the Inauguration safe, from law enforcement to members of the National Guard, and especially the 174 members of Louisiana’s National Guard who volunteered to protect our nation’s capital to ensure the peaceful transfer of power. They are our nation’s unsung heroes and real patriots.
In Louisiana, we have been in touch with federal, state and local officials about warnings of planned protests in Louisiana and, while so far no violence or lawlessness has occurred at protests in Louisiana, we are prepared and will respond as necessary.”
Hopefully you will stay in DC with your dear friend Biden and gracious VP Harris. We don’t need you here.
Hi, OldVet,
Let me tell you why you desperately need me, a resident of Louisiana since 1983, and millions of people like me, to stay here.
We Democrats across this great nation have saved you from yourself and your worst impulses. And we’ve also saved your children from you, and your grandchildren from you, and your great grandchildren from you.
Because now that we’ve thrown the failed insurrectionist Trump out of office, they get to live in a democracy rather than an autocracy led by a psychopath, and then probably then led by his vile son, and then by his vile daughter. Your progeny, despite your best efforts to prevent it, will live as free citizens in a democratic republic. And they even get to keep their guns.
As I say to all the poor Trump stooges who post here, this is the only time you’ll hear from me. I give you
my full permission to have the last word.
And I thank you for your service.
Rodney Allen who going to save us from you and your leader not mine?
I keep trying to tell that guy who thinks he’s gonna save the state and the USA from Old Vet, that we don’t want or need his permission to have the last word. Never heard of him, don’t know what he does so therefore don’t know if he’s got as much sense as God gave a goat. He’s nobody to us.
Thank you Governor Edwards for standing up for Louisianans no matter who is in the White House.
With his sensible COVID policies, Governor Edwards is simply trying to protect all citizens in Louisiana from getting sick or dying until medical experts get the pandemic under control with vaccines. Then we can safely get the economy back up to speed.
Despite constant carping from the right, Governor Edwards has helped saved many lives –lives that would have been lost had Trump stooge Eddie Rispone been elected governor. Rispone would have followed Trump’s example of lying about COVID, which according to epidemiologists has cost at least 100,000 additional American lives, and perhaps double that. We passed 400,000 deaths today, January 19, the day before Trump finally leaves office in disgrace as the worst President in American history.
But at noon tomorrow, we’ll all have a President who’s first priority is liberating every American from the danger of contracting this dreaded disease.
But pro-Trump posters here only want to whine that their sacred right not to wear a mask during this plague is being violated by the Governor!
As Ben Franklin observed: “Wise men learn from others harms; fools scarcely learn from their own.”
TYPICAL LIBERAL PUKE POST. BLAMING TRUMP FOR EVERY BAD THING IN THE HISTORY OF THE WORLD! STARTING TOMORROW WHO THE HELL ARE THEY AND THE BIAS MEDIA GOING TO WHINE AND CRY ABOUT?
RODNEY AND VICKI WILL STILL BLAME THE GHOST OF TRUMP FOR THE NEXT 4 YEARS EVEN WHEN THE OLD SNIFFERS NEW POLICIES CRIPPLE ALL OF US THEY WILL STILL CRY TRUMP!
Great words Gov. Edwards. Thanks for being the rational leader that we need.
Another not so bright individual that fails to see any of the good President Donald Trump did during his four years as President. Now we will have to sit and watch it all undone. What a shame!
Not sure what you found so disdainful.
Pathetic. Maybe if you would slow down your postings you’d have time to read and learn.
I wonder how long before we are locked down again?
Your disdain for Liberty and the Constitution proves that you do not represent me.