Gov. Jeff Landry (R-LA) will attend the Sugar Bowl on Thursday amid safety concerns after the terrorist attack in New Orleans, and he said he does not think it should be further delayed.
After 15 people died in a truck attack and shooting that has left many more fighting their own injuries in hospitals, Landry is facing criticisms for allowing the College Football Playoff game to continue in the city.
“On one hand, you’re telling the people that it is safe, but then you have co-conspirators that are out there,” Fox News host Lawrence Jones said. “And then to layer on that of getting all the information we just had, your attorney general, your chief law enforcement officer, says she hasn’t even been briefed about those people that they brought into custody. So if your chief law enforcement officer is not being briefed about the people that are out there, how can the people have confidence?”
“Well, look, I can tell you this: I am in this city right now, I am going to attend the Sugar Bowl this afternoon, I will be around, we are going to be briefing the media, hopefully about mid-morning,” Landry said. “I don’t know about the comments that the attorney general made. Again, that’s part of why we try not to engage in speculation.”
Landry’s comments come after he posted a photo of himself and his staff eating at a New Orleans restaurant in the hours after the attack. At the time, law enforcement officials believed the suspect did not act alone because there were explosive devices found in the area, and co-conspirators were still considered at large. On Thursday, the FBI announced that the driver acted alone.
“What I can tell you is that we believe that, based upon the information that we’re getting from the federal government and my Louisiana State Police, this city is as safe as it’s been,” Landry said. “Look, this can happen in any city ever. Look, we had an incident in Las Vegas yesterday. But I can tell you this: There are a lot more resources and law enforcement officers in the city of New Orleans right now than they were 24 hours ago. Again, at the end of the day, we need not let fear paralyze us. That’s the problem in this country. Right? When we do that, the terrorists win.”
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The college football Sugar Bowl between Georgia and Notre Dame was slated for Wednesday night but was postponed to Thursday afternoon.
Both teams arrived Monday in Louisiana. No players were injured or killed in the attack.