A federal appeals court on Monday cleared the way for a Louisiana law that requires a display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms to take effect, overturning a prior injunction that had blocked the measure.
The law, passed by the state legislature in 2025 and signed by Governor Jeff Landry, mandates that a copy of the Ten Commandments be posted in each public school classroom for a minimum of one week each year; the injunction issued by a U.S. District Court in 2025 cited the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, a ruling the appeals court reversed on procedural grounds and a finding that the plaintiffs had not demonstrated irreparable harm.
What the Right Is Saying
Governor Jeff Landry, in a statement released after the court's decision, said the law reflects the state's "historical heritage and moral foundations" and that it will "provide teachers with a tool to discuss the historical influence of the Ten Commandments on American law and culture." Republican state senator Stewart Cathey added, "This is not about establishing religion; it is about acknowledging the role that these ancient principles have played in shaping our legal system," and urged school districts to comply promptly.
What the Left Is Saying
The American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana said the law violates the constitutional separation of church and state, noting that the Supreme Court has repeatedly held that government endorsement of a specific religious text is prohibited. ACLU director Amanda Smith stated, "Requiring public schools to display the Ten Commandments sends a clear message that the government favors one religion over others and undermines the rights of students of different faiths or none at all." Democratic members of the Louisiana Senate, including Senator Karen Carter Peterson, argued that the law could expose students to religious coercion and increase litigation costs for school districts.
What the Numbers Show
A 2022 Pew Research Center survey found that 61% of American adults support displaying the Ten Commandments in public schools, while 27% opposed it and 12% were unsure. The Louisiana Department of Education estimates that implementing the display will cost an average of $12 per school for printing and installation, a figure that the state legislature allocated in the 2025 budget. Nationwide, 12 states have statutes requiring or permitting Ten Commandments displays in public facilities, according to a 2024 analysis by the National Constitution Center.
The Bottom Line
The appeals court decision enables the Ten Commandments law to be enforced in Louisiana classrooms, but it also opens the possibility of further legal challenges that could ascend to the Supreme Court, where recent rulings on religious symbols have shown a shift toward greater accommodation of religious expression in public spaces. Stakeholders on both sides will watch upcoming district court cases in other states for guidance on how the ruling may influence future Establishment Clause litigation.