Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, had released a statement before the GOP nominee’s visit decrying a “photo-op,” but Edwards told CNN’s Dana Bash on “State of the Union” Sunday that Trump had always been welcome if he were coming to be “helpful.”

“Because it helped to shine a spotlight on Louisiana and on the dire situation that we have here … it was helpful,” Edwards said.

He also praised Trump’s running mate, Indiana Gov. Mike Pence, who joined the visit.

“I also appreciated the good phone call, the conversation that I had with Gov. Pence, who was sincere and genuine when he called, and we spoke for a long time on Friday morning, about their desire to be helpful,” Edwards said.