U.S. Federal Judge Blocks Texas Law Requiring Ten Commandments Displays in Classrooms

A federal judge has ordered a dozen public school districts in Texas to remove Ten Commandments displays from their classrooms by December, ruling that the state law requiring such displays violates the U.S. Constitution.

In a significant win for parents whose children attend the affected schools, U.S. District Court Judge Orlando L. Garcia wrote that the law violates the Establishment Clause, which bars the government from passing any law “respecting an establishment of religion.”

Judge Garcia’s ruling marks the latest development in a growing national debate over whether U.S. states can compel public schools to prominently display Christian religious texts in classrooms. The issue has increasingly divided parents and students from conservative groups seeking to elevate religious expressions in public life.

Similar Legal Battles in Other States

In June, a federal appeals court blocked Louisiana from enforcing a law requiring all classrooms in public schools and universities to display the Ten Commandments. The same appeals court is scheduled to review the lawsuit challenging the Texas law when it rehears the Louisiana case in January.

In October, Oklahoma’s Department of Education withdrew its 2024 directive that required teachers to keep a Christian Bible in every classroom and incorporate it into instruction. The requirement was halted by the state Supreme Court following constitutional challenges.

School Districts Respond

Reuters sought comments from each of the Texas school districts named as defendants. Spokespersons for Conroe and Flour Bluff Independent School Districts in southeast Texas said they would comply with the law—just as officials from Northwest and Fort Worth ISDs confirmed they would do. Conroe, Northwest, and Fort Worth ISDs added that they will remove the posters in accordance with Judge Garcia’s order.

Chloe Kempf, staff attorney for the ACLU of Texas, welcomed the decision, saying it protects families’ constitutional right to practice whatever faith they choose without government interference.

She added that the ruling sends a clear message: “Think twice before posting the Ten Commandments. Multiple judges have deemed this unconstitutional, and it’s your responsibility to uphold your students’ constitutional rights.”

Attorney General Responds

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, meanwhile, filed lawsuits on Tuesday against two additional school districts for refusing to display the Ten Commandments in their classrooms. He accused them of “disregarding the will of Texas voters,” who, he said, expect the state’s legal and moral heritage to be reflected as permitted by law.