Appeals Court Clears Way for Louisiana Law Requiring Ten Commandments in Classrooms

Ruling allows law to take effect as constitutionality is further reviewed

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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A U.S. appeals court has cleared the way for a Louisiana law requiring poster-sized displays of the Ten Commandments in public classrooms to take effect. The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals voted 12-6 to lift a block that a lower court first placed on the law in 2024, saying it was too early to make a judgment call on the law's constitutionality.

Why it matters

This ruling is part of a broader push by some Republican lawmakers to incorporate religion into public school classrooms, which critics argue violates the separation of church and state. Similar laws have been challenged in other states like Texas, raising ongoing questions about the balance between religious expression and constitutional protections.

The details

The appeals court said it was too early to weigh in on any potential First Amendment issues, as it's not yet clear how prominently schools will display the religious text or if other historical documents will be included. However, dissenting judges argued the law clearly establishes government-endorsed religion in public schools.

  • The 5th Circuit Court of Appeals issued its ruling on Friday, February 21, 2026.
  • A lower court first blocked the Louisiana law in 2024.

The players

5th Circuit Court of Appeals

The U.S. appeals court that ruled 12-6 to lift the block on Louisiana's law requiring the Ten Commandments in classrooms.

Louisiana

The state that passed the law requiring poster-sized displays of the Ten Commandments in public classrooms.

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What they’re saying

“The law 'is precisely the kind of establishment the Framers anticipated and sought to prevent.'”

— James L. Dennis, Circuit Judge (Dissenting opinion)

What’s next

The case is expected to continue working its way through the courts as the constitutionality of the law is further reviewed.

The takeaway

This ruling highlights the ongoing debate over the role of religion in public schools and the complex balance between religious expression and constitutional protections. The outcome could have significant implications for similar laws in other states.