Gov. Hogan Goes After Mayor Rawlings-Blake For Her Response To Riots

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (WJZ) -- Governor Larry Hogan goes after Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake for her response during last year's unrest. The governor says he was forced to issue an ultimatum about declaring a state of emergency.

Meghan McCorkell has more on his harsh words.

The governor did not mince words, saying he never got a "thank you" from Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.

A year ago, National Guard troops filled Baltimore streets, a curfew was in effect and Camden Yards stood empty as the Orioles played. Governor Larry Hogan declared a state of emergency after the city spiraled into unrest.

Now, he says never got any gratitude from Mayor Stephanie Rawlings-Blake.

"And then we came in, saved the city and never got a thank you. All she did was criticize us from that day until this day," the governor said.

On Friday, he clarified those comments.

"I was never expecting the mayor to thank us," he said.

In a scathing speech, the governor blasted the mayor, who he says refused help as businesses burned.

"I said, 'It doesn't like it's under control, it looks like the city is on fire,'" Gov. Hogan said.

Governor Hogan says he issued an ultimatum--ask the state for help, or he'd enact the state of emergency without her.

"She said, 'Since you are holding a gun to my head and since you're going to do it anyway, I guess I'll ask you to come in,'" Hogan said.

The mayor has consistently refuted claims the governor had a difficult time contacting her during the unrest.

"I appreciate the governor's support. I'm not going to second guess what he was thinking. It would be nice to have that same courtesy from him," Mayor Rawlings-Blake said.

The governor is now looking forward to working with new city leadership.

"Her career is now over. She's still a lame duck with a few months to serve out her term, but her career in Baltimore is done," Gov. Hogan said.

In a statement, the mayor said she "prefers to focus on governing the city rather than obsessing on perceived past slights or differences of opinion."

On Friday, the governor said he has a good working relationship with Senator Catherine Pugh, who is poised to become the next mayor.