5th Circuit Lifts Block on Louisiana Ten Commandments Classroom Law
A full en banc U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit voted 12–6 to lift the injunction blocking Louisiana’s law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms, concluding it is "too early" to resolve the law’s constitutionality because the record lacks specifics on display prominence, teacher use, and accompanying historical materials. Concurring Judge James Ho said the law is "not just constitutional — it affirms our nation's highest and most noble traditions," while dissents warned it risks government establishment of religion; Gov. Jeff Landry praised the decision, challengers including the ACLU of Louisiana and the Freedom From Religion Foundation plan further legal action, and the ruling follows similar statutes in Texas and Arkansas where some districts have already posted displays.
📌 Key Facts
- The full en banc U.S. Court of Appeals for the 5th Circuit voted 12–6 to lift the injunction blocking Louisiana’s law requiring Ten Commandments displays in classrooms, allowing the law to take effect.
- The majority said it was "too early" to decide the law’s constitutionality because the record lacks specifics on display prominence, how teachers might use the displays, and whether accompanying historical documents would be posted.
- Judge James Ho wrote a concurrence, calling the law "not just constitutional — it affirms our nation's highest and most noble traditions."
- Dissenting judges, including Judge James L. Dennis, warned the law is "precisely the kind of establishment the Framers anticipated and sought to prevent."
- Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry celebrated the decision ("Common sense is making a comeback!"), while challengers — the ACLU of Louisiana and the Freedom From Religion Foundation — said they plan further legal action.
- The ruling is set against a broader trend: similar Ten Commandments measures exist in Texas and Arkansas, and some Texas districts are already posting displays under a related statute.
📰 Source Timeline (2)
Follow how coverage of this story developed over time
- Confirms full en banc 5th Circuit vote was 12–6 to lift the injunction on Louisiana’s Ten Commandments classroom law.
- Details the majority’s reasoning that it is 'too early' to decide constitutionality because the record lacks specifics on display prominence, teacher use, and accompanying historical documents.
- Quotes concurring Judge James Ho calling the law 'not just constitutional — it affirms our nation's highest and most noble traditions.'
- Highlights dissents, including Judge James L. Dennis’ warning that the law is 'precisely the kind of establishment the Framers anticipated and sought to prevent.'
- Notes Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry’s reaction ('Common sense is making a comeback!') and that challengers (ACLU of Louisiana, Freedom From Religion Foundation) plan further legal action.
- Places the ruling in the broader context of similar Ten Commandments laws in Texas and Arkansas and notes that some Texas districts are already posting displays under a related statute.