Obama to Visit Louisiana Next Week but ‘Wants to Ensure His Presence Does Not Interfere’

President Coordinated With Governor ‘To Determine an Appropriate Time for Him to Visit’

President Barack Obama will visit Louisiana next week on Tuesday to view the severe flooding in the Baton Rouge area. 13 people have died and 40,000 homes have been damaged. First responders are busy responding to emergencies and engaged in recovery efforts, but one Louisiana newspaper blasted the Commander in Chief for not cutting his vacation short to tour the flood zones.

“The President today directed his team to coordinate with Louisiana officials to determine an appropriate time for him to visit, and together they have determined that the President will visit Baton Rouge, Louisiana on Tuesday, August 23rd,” a statement Friday afternoon from White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest reads.

“The President is mindful of the impact that his travel has on first responders and wants to ensure that his presence does not interfere with ongoing recovery efforts. He is also eager to get a first-hand look at the impact of the devastating floods, hear from more officials about the response, including how the federal government can assist and tell the people of Louisiana that the American people will be with them as they rebuild their community and come back stronger than ever.”

Thursday Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards told MSNBC that he would prefer for President Obama to wait “another couple weeks,” noting assistance from the federal government has been exemplary.

“It is a major ordeal, they free up the interstate for him,” Gov. John Bel Edwards told MSNBC’s Rachel Maddow Thursday. “We have to take hundreds of local first responders, police officers, sheriffs, deputies and state troopers to provide security for that type of visit. I would just as soon have those people engaged in the response rather than trying to secure the president. So I’d ask him to wait, if he would, another couple weeks.”

Republicans have slammed President Obama for not coming to visit, noting Democrats attacked President George W. Bush for appearing aloof and unconcerned about Hurricane Katrina. By comparison, the Bush administration was woefully prepared to deal with Katrina, and ignored the full scope of its devastation, whereas Louisiana officials have praised the Obama administration for the immediate response they’ve received from the federal government.

Donald Trump ignored Gov. Bel Edwards’ request to not use his visit as a “photo-op,” flying his personal jet in to baton Rouge Friday afternoon. Trump, who did not even notify the governor of his plans, toured the devastated areas and spent time with Tony Perkins and Franklin Graham. 

 

Image: Flooded Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Aug. 15, 2016 
Photo by U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Melissa Leake via Flickr