Fact Check: Louisiana Attorney General vows to appeal ruling on Ten Commandments in schools.

Fact Check: Louisiana Attorney General Vows to Appeal Ruling on Ten Commandments in Schools

What We Know

On June 20, 2025, a federal appeals court ruled that a Louisiana law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms was "plainly unconstitutional" (source-1). This law, passed in 2024, mandated that schools display a printed poster of the Ten Commandments, making Louisiana the first state to enact such a requirement since a similar Kentucky law was struck down by the Supreme Court in 1980 (source-1). Following the ruling, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill expressed her disagreement with the court's decision and announced plans to appeal, stating, “We will immediately seek relief from the full Fifth Circuit and, if necessary, the United States Supreme Court” (source-1).

Analysis

The ruling by the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit was unanimous, indicating a strong consensus among the judges regarding the law's constitutionality (source-1). The court's decision aligns with longstanding legal precedents that prohibit government entities from endorsing specific religious doctrines in public schools, as this could violate the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment (source-6).

Attorney General Murrill's commitment to appeal reflects a broader trend among conservative groups who are increasingly challenging judicial rulings that they perceive as limiting public expressions of faith (source-1). While Murrill asserts that the law has historical significance and is constitutional under Supreme Court precedents, the court's ruling suggests that the legal grounds for such claims may be tenuous, especially given the Fifth Circuit's reputation as one of the more conservative appellate courts in the country (source-7).

The sources reporting on this issue, including major news outlets like The New York Times and the Associated Press, are generally regarded as reliable and reputable. They provide comprehensive coverage of legal matters and are known for their fact-checking standards (source-1, source-6, source-8). However, it is essential to note that the framing of the issue can vary based on the publication, with some emphasizing the religious freedom aspect while others focus on the constitutional implications.

Conclusion

The claim that Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill vowed to appeal the ruling on the Ten Commandments in schools is True. The evidence from multiple reliable sources confirms that Murrill publicly stated her intention to seek further legal recourse following the federal appeals court's decision, which deemed the law unconstitutional. This reflects ongoing legal and cultural debates surrounding the intersection of religion and public education in the United States.

Fact Check: Louisiana Attorney General vows to appeal ruling on Ten Commandments in schools.