Federal Judge Strikes Down Louisiana Law Mandating Ten Commandments In Classrooms As ‘Unconstitutional’

A federal judge temporarily blocked a Louisiana mandate on Tuesday that required public schools to display the Ten Commandments in every classroom by January 1, declaring the law “unconstitutional on its face.”

U.S. District Judge John W. deGravelles, based in Baton Rouge, ruled that the statute had a clear religious intent, rejecting state arguments that the historical significance of the Ten Commandments justified their display. According to *Politico*, the judge noted that no other foundational documents, such as the U.S. Constitution or the Bill of Rights, are similarly mandated for display in schools.

Louisiana Attorney General Elizabeth Murrill expressed strong disagreement with the court's ruling, stating in a statement that she and others would "immediately appeal." Murrill, along with Republican Governor Jeff Landry, had supported the law, arguing that the Ten Commandments reflect the nation's legal heritage.