New Orleans, Louisiana – Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry has called for an investigation into the impeachment of a federal judge overseeing the New Orleans Police Department’s (NOPD) consent decree. In a series of social media posts on Monday, Landry accused U.S. District Judge Susie Morgan of mishandling the decree, which has been governing police operations in the city since 2012. This comes after Judge Morgan expressed concerns about the Louisiana State Police’s deployment to assist in policing New Orleans.
During a recent hearing on police compliance with the consent decree, Judge Morgan criticized the rollout of the new Troop NOLA by the Louisiana State Police, stressing the need for transparency and coordination with the NOPD. She stated, “No one wants to return to the practices that brought about the consent decree in the first place.” Landry criticized the judge’s remarks on a social media platform, calling for her impeachment due to what he perceives as prolonged mishandling of the NOPD consent decree.
Rafael Goyeneche, president of the Metropolitan Crime Commission, also disagreed with the scope of Judge Morgan’s comments. While he expressed concerns about her opinions and considered them inappropriate and an overreach, he emphasized that they do not meet the threshold for impeachment, which typically requires the commission of “high crimes and misdemeanors.”
Legal analyst Joe Raspanti echoed Goyeneche’s sentiments, stating that the impeachment of federal judges is rare and reserved for serious crimes, not mere comments. Raspanti pointed out that the last federal judge to be impeached in New Orleans was G. Thomas Porteous in 2010, and it was in response to charges of corruption and bribery.
Landry’s suggestion to impeach Judge Morgan faced criticism from legal experts who believe it is baseless and lacks merit. They emphasize the high standard required for impeachment, which involves conviction by the Senate after being impeached by the House of Representatives. Raspanti noted that throughout U.S. history, only eight federal judges have been impeached.
This controversy highlights ongoing tensions between Governor Landry and Judge Morgan regarding the management of the NOPD consent decree. While Judge Morgan called for transparency and coordination, Landry believes that the federal court’s involvement in state policing matters is unwarranted. The NOPD has been working towards achieving full compliance with the consent decree, with the Louisiana State Police’s support throughout the process.
The debate raises questions about the balance of powers between federal and state entities in issues related to law enforcement. It emphasizes the need for collaboration and clear communication between different agencies involved in overseeing police operations in New Orleans. However, it remains to be seen whether Landry’s calls for impeachment gain traction or whether the disagreement is resolved through other means.
This article explores the differing viewpoints on the management of the NOPD consent decree, shedding light on the complexities of implementing and overseeing police reforms.