Landry: Judge 'Writing Law' in Siding with Gov's Emergency Rules

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry explains his disagreement - and bewilderment - at a decision made by Judge William Morvant.

Morvant, a judge for Louisiana's 19th Judicial District Court, ruled Thursday that the petition signed by a majority of the state's House of Representatives to end Governor John Bel Edwards' emergency declaration was invalid because it applied to a declaration that had previously expired.

The Judge also ruled that the Louisiana law that calls for a majority of only one house of the state's legislature to end a governor's emergency restrictions is unconstitutional.

The official statement on the Morvant ruling from the Attorney General's office:

"Our government is built on a system of checks and balances. The Legislature makes laws; the Governor enforces them. Today, the Court effectively ruled the Governor may make law without any legislative oversight - this turns Louisiana into a dictatorship under King Edwards.

"It is problematic when a judge rewrites the law from the bench. That seems to be occurring more and more and adds to the current turmoil we find our country in. This case and its outcome affects all Louisiana citizens, their livelihoods, and their safety.

We will appeal Judge Morvant's rulings and pray the Supreme Court will uphold the checks and balances upon which our government was founded and has been ruled."

"More and more of these judges are...writing the law and they're bending the law to their particular will. And then, of course, when they come under extreme criticism, they get real ornery about it.."

Landry says he will appeal the Morvant decision to the Louisiana Supreme Court.