Court clears way for Louisiana law requiring Ten Commandments in classrooms to take effect

Associated Press (AP)EN 4 min read 100% complete by By HANNAH SCHOENBAUM and REBECCA BOONEFebruary 21, 2026 at 09:23 AM

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A U.S. appeals court has allowed a Louisiana law requiring the Ten Commandments to be displayed in public school classrooms to take effect. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals lifted a previous block on the law, stating it was premature to judge its constitutionality without knowing how prominently the displays would be featured or if teachers would reference them. The ruling reverses an earlier decision by a smaller panel of the same court that deemed the law unconstitutional. Supporters of the law, including Louisiana's Republican Governor, praised the decision, while opponents, such as the ACLU of Louisiana, vowed to continue fighting it. Dissenting judges argued the law promotes government-endorsed religion in schools, violating the First Amendment.

Key Entities & Roles

Key Player Opposition Context

U.S. Supreme Court 40% Arkansas 40% Bill Clinton 50% United States 50% Donald Trump 50% Republican Party ×260% James Ho 60% James L. Dennis 60% Jeff Landry 70% ACLU of Louisiana 70% 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals 80% Louisiana ×490%

Keywords

ten commandments 100% louisiana law 90% public school classrooms 80% u.s. appeals court 70% first amendment 60% constitutionality 60% establishment clause 50% religious text 50% legal challenge 40%