Press Statement
For Immediate Release: 1.20.26
Contact: John Manning, media@firstliberty.org
Direct: 972-941-4454
Statement Regarding Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals’ Review of Louisiana and Texas Ten Commandments Laws
Baton Rouge, LA—Today, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit heard oral argument regarding the constitutionality of laws in Louisiana and Texas that require the posting of the Ten Commandments in schools. Louisiana’s law was enacted in June 2024, while the Texas law passed last year. First Liberty Institute’s victory at the U.S. Supreme Court in Kennedy v. Bremerton School District overturned the Lemon test, a legal doctrine that undermined religious liberty in our nation for decades, providing new opportunities for displays, education, and monuments reflecting the country’s religious heritage and history.
The following statement may be attributed to Kelly Shackelford, President, CEO, and Chief Counsel for First Liberty Institute:
Texas and Louisiana’s laws clearly meet the new test under the Supreme Court’s Kennedy “history and tradition” test. The Ten Commandments are a part of the nation’s history and tradition; banning them from schools because they are religious is not justified by the Constitution, and it undermines a comprehensive education for America’s students.
First Liberty filed an amicus brief in the case on behalf of members of Congress, available here.
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About First Liberty Institute
First Liberty Institute is a non-profit public interest law firm and the largest legal organization in the nation dedicated exclusively to defending religious freedom for all Americans.
To arrange an interview, contact John Manning at media@firstliberty.org.
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