Federal appeals court allows Louisiana to display Ten Commandments in public school classrooms
A federal appeals court on Friday cleared the way for Louisiana to enforce a law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals voted 12-6 to lift a preliminary block that had been imposed in 2024, stating that it was too early to assess the law’s constitutionality, according to court records.
The court noted that the law permits additional content, such as the Mayflower Compact or the Declaration of Independence, to be displayed alongside the Ten Commandments. The majority opinion emphasized that there was not enough information to make a judgment on potential First Amendment issues, describing the matter as based on speculation.
In a concurring opinion, Circuit Judge James Ho, appointed by former President Donald Trump, said the law was constitutional and aligned with founding traditions. Ho stated that the law reinforces the religious foundations of the United States and reflects the nation’s highest principles. Conversely, Circuit Judge James L. Dennis, appointed by former President Bill Clinton, dissented, arguing that displaying the Ten Commandments in classrooms could expose students to government-endorsed religion, which he said the Framers aimed to prevent.
The American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana and other advocacy groups indicated they plan to pursue further legal challenges against the law. In a joint statement, the groups called the ruling disappointing and warned it could result in ongoing legal battles across school districts.
Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill responded to the decision by urging schools to follow the law, and Republican Gov. Jeff Landry praised the ruling, saying, “Common sense is making a comeback.” Murrill added that her office has issued guidance and provided examples of constitutionally compliant posters. Louisiana attorney Joseph Davis expressed support for the ruling, criticizing the ACLU’s stance and emphasizing the law’s alignment with American traditions and the Constitution.
The case was reconsidered by the full court after a three-judge panel initially ruled the law unconstitutional. Similar laws in Arkansas face legal challenges, while Texas adopted its own Ten Commandments display requirement last year. The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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