AG threatens 8 New Orleans officials with removal

Key Points:

• Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill warned New Orleans' mayor, district attorney, and five City Council members that she may seek their removal from office if they do not retract support for holding an election for a new court clerk position, escalating a dispute over the role.
• Murrill's letter claims the City Council's vote to hold the election "usurped" the office of Chelsey Napoleon, the former Civil District Court Clerk, who she argues is the rightful holder of the merged clerk’s office under state law.
• The dispute stems from a recent state law merging the criminal and civil court clerk offices, effectively eliminating the criminal clerkship won by Calvin Duncan, a formerly incarcerated lawyer, which local leaders say was a move to block Duncan from taking office.
• Despite opposition from Murrill and Governor Jeff Landry, the City Council voted to call a special election and appointed former Criminal District Court Judge Calvin Johnson as interim clerk, prompting Murrill to send the warning letter and intensifying ongoing legal battles.
• The controversy highlights a political clash between Republican state officials and Democratic New Orleans leaders over court system reforms and election legitimacy, with multiple lawsuits pending regarding control of the clerk’s functions.