Fact Check: "Republican Gov. Jeff Landry vows to appeal ruling against Ten Commandments in schools."
What We Know
On June 20, 2025, a federal appeals court ruled against a Louisiana law that mandated public schools to display the Ten Commandments in classrooms, deeming it unconstitutional. The ruling was made by a three-judge panel from the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit, which stated that allowing such displays would expose "impressionable students" to religious content during their education, violating the Establishment Clause of the First Amendment (Washington Post, New York Times).
The law, signed by Governor Jeff Landry in June 2024, required schools to display the Ten Commandments in a specific format and size, and it was intended to promote respect for the law. Landry defended the law by asserting that it was important for students to recognize the "original lawgiver" (Washington Post). Following the appeals court ruling, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill expressed strong disagreement with the decision and indicated plans to seek further legal recourse, potentially escalating the case to the U.S. Supreme Court (Washington Post, New York Times).
Analysis
The claim that Governor Jeff Landry intends to appeal the ruling is partially true. While it is accurate that Murrill, representing the state, has stated intentions to appeal, there is no direct quote or statement from Landry himself confirming his personal involvement in the appeal process. Murrill's comments suggest that the appeal will be pursued by her office, which is typical in legal matters involving state laws (Washington Post, New York Times).
The reliability of the sources reporting on this matter is high. Both the Washington Post and the New York Times are reputable news organizations known for their rigorous journalistic standards. They provide detailed accounts of the court's ruling and the subsequent reactions from state officials, which adds credibility to the information presented (Washington Post, New York Times).
However, it is essential to note that while Murrill's comments indicate a strong likelihood of an appeal, the absence of a statement from Landry himself leaves some ambiguity regarding his direct involvement. This nuance is crucial for accurately assessing the claim's validity.
Conclusion
The claim that "Republican Gov. Jeff Landry vows to appeal ruling against Ten Commandments in schools" is partially true. While the state is indeed pursuing an appeal against the ruling, it is primarily Attorney General Liz Murrill who has publicly stated this intention, with no direct confirmation from Landry himself. Thus, while the appeal is likely to proceed, the claim lacks full substantiation regarding Landry's personal commitment to the appeal process.
Sources
- Appeals court blocks Louisiana law requiring Ten ... Washington Post
- Louisiana's Ten Commandments Law Is Unconstitutional, ... New York Times
- Google Google
- Google Google
- Google Chrome – Download the fast, secure browser from Google Google
- Appeals court panel rules against Louisiana Ten Commandments law MSN
- البحث المتقدم من Google Google
- Court blocks Louisiana law requiring schools to post Ten ... Fox10TV
