Fact Check: Federal judges declare Louisiana's Ten Commandments law unconstitutional
What We Know
A recent ruling by a federal appeals court has declared that Louisiana's law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms is unconstitutional. The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit unanimously upheld a preliminary injunction that had been issued by a lower court, which found the law to be "plainly unconstitutional" (source-1). The law, passed in 2024, mandated that the Ten Commandments be displayed prominently in every classroom, a requirement that the court found to be materially identical to a Kentucky law struck down by the U.S. Supreme Court in 1980 (source-2).
The case was brought forth by a group of nine families from diverse faith backgrounds who argued that the law violated the First Amendment's establishment clause, which prohibits the government from establishing an official religion (source-1). The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Louisiana represented the plaintiffs, asserting that the law promoted a state-preferred version of Christianity (source-2). The ruling has been characterized as a significant victory for civil liberties advocates, emphasizing the importance of maintaining the separation of church and state in public education (source-3).
Analysis
The Fifth Circuit's decision is based on a well-established legal precedent regarding the separation of church and state. The judges noted that the law's requirement for the Ten Commandments to be displayed in every classroom, regardless of the subject matter, indicated a clear religious motivation rather than a secular educational purpose (source-1). This aligns with previous rulings, including the landmark 1980 Supreme Court decision that deemed similar laws unconstitutional (source-6).
The judges involved in the ruling were appointed by presidents from both major political parties, which adds a layer of credibility to the decision, suggesting that it is not merely a partisan issue (source-1). The court's composition, which included judges appointed by both Democratic and Republican presidents, indicates a balanced approach to the legal interpretation of the First Amendment (source-2).
However, the ruling has faced opposition from Louisiana's Attorney General, Liz Murrill, who has expressed intentions to appeal the decision, potentially escalating the matter to the U.S. Supreme Court (source-2). This reflects a broader trend among conservative groups seeking to challenge legal precedents regarding religious expression in public spaces, particularly in educational settings (source-3).
Conclusion
The claim that federal judges have declared Louisiana's Ten Commandments law unconstitutional is True. The ruling by the Fifth Circuit aligns with established legal precedents regarding the separation of church and state, affirming that the law violates the First Amendment. The unanimous decision of the appellate judges, combined with the legal arguments presented by the plaintiffs, supports the conclusion that the law's requirements were unconstitutional.
Sources
- Louisiana's Ten Commandments Law Is Unconstitutional, Appeals Court ...
- Court blocks Louisiana law requiring schools to post Ten Commandments ...
- Ten Commandments in Louisiana classrooms blocked by ...
- Federal judge blocks Louisiana law that requires classrooms to display ...
- Appeals court blocks Louisiana law requiring public schools to display ...
- Louisiana's Ten Commandments law in public schools blocked by federal ...
