Russel Honoré, remembered for his response to Hurricane Katrina, will assess US Capitol security

CNN — The review of US Capitol security in the wake of this month’s riots will be handled by retired Lt. Gen. Russel Honoré, the widely praised former commander of the First Army who became a household name as he coordinated relief efforts in New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina. Over the course of his career, the general came to be known as a no-nonsense leader, a quality perhaps best exemplified in his slogan, “Don’t get stuck on stupid.” In a statement Friday, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi said Honoré would lead the review of the Capitol’s security infrastructure and interagency process, calling him a “respected leader with experience dealing with crises.” Louisiana Gov. Praised for leadership after Katrina But Honoré commanded the nation’s attention in 2005 when he led the Defense Department’s response to Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita. He told everyone he saw to point their weapons down, reminding National Guardsmen and New Orleans police officers that they were not deployed to Iraq, according to CNN’s Barbara Starr, who was embedded with Honoré.