Fact Check: Louisiana's Ten Commandments law declared unconstitutional by federal appellate judges.

Fact Check: Louisiana's Ten Commandments Law Declared Unconstitutional by Federal Appellate Judges

What We Know

On June 20, 2025, a panel of three judges from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit unanimously ruled that Louisiana's law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom was "plainly unconstitutional" (New York Times). This ruling upheld a preliminary injunction issued by a lower court, which had already blocked the law from taking effect. The law, passed in 2024, was the first of its kind since the U.S. Supreme Court invalidated a similar Kentucky law in 1980. The appellate judges noted that the requirements of Louisiana's law were "materially identical" to those previously struck down (Reuters).

The challenge to the law was brought by a coalition of nine families from diverse religious backgrounds, who argued that the mandate violated the First Amendment's Establishment Clause, which prohibits government endorsement of religion. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) of Louisiana, representing the plaintiffs, asserted that the law amounted to promoting a "state-preferred version of Christianity" (AP News).

Louisiana's Attorney General, Liz Murrill, expressed strong disagreement with the ruling and indicated plans to appeal, potentially to the U.S. Supreme Court (PBS). Supporters of the law argued that the Ten Commandments served both historical and educational purposes, claiming they were foundational to American law (NPR).

Analysis

The ruling by the Fifth Circuit aligns with longstanding legal precedents regarding the separation of church and state. The court's decision was based on the principle that public schools must remain neutral in matters of religion, ensuring that all students, regardless of their faith, feel welcome and included in the educational environment (NOLA). The judges emphasized that the law's requirement to display the Ten Commandments indiscriminately in every classroom indicated a clear religious motivation, undermining the argument that it served a purely educational purpose (New York Times).

The credibility of the sources reporting on this ruling is generally high. Major news outlets such as the New York Times, NPR, and the Associated Press have established reputations for thorough reporting and fact-checking. The ACLU, as a legal organization involved in the case, provides a direct perspective from the plaintiffs' side, reinforcing the argument against the law based on constitutional grounds (ACLU).

However, it is important to note that the political context surrounding the law may influence interpretations of the ruling. The law was supported by conservative lawmakers and aligned with broader efforts by some religious groups to integrate religious expressions into public life, which may introduce bias in the framing of the issue (AP News).

Conclusion

The claim that Louisiana's Ten Commandments law was declared unconstitutional by federal appellate judges is True. The ruling by the Fifth Circuit Court confirmed that the law violated the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment, reinforcing the principle of separation of church and state in public education. The unanimous decision reflects a commitment to maintaining a neutral educational environment for all students, regardless of their religious beliefs.

Fact Check: Louisiana's Ten Commandments law declared unconstitutional by federal appellate judges.