Federal Appeals Court Allows Louisiana Ten Commandments Law to Take Effect

Ruling overturns lower court decision, setting up potential Supreme Court battle over religious displays in public schools.

Published on Feb. 21, 2026

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A federal appeals court has cleared the way for a Louisiana law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in all classrooms of the state's public schools and universities to take effect. The 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals overturned a lower court's ruling that the law was unconstitutional, saying it must be assessed based on how local school boards implement it.

Why it matters

This case highlights the ongoing legal battle over the separation of church and state, with conservative states pushing to allow more religious displays in public schools despite Supreme Court precedent limiting such practices. The ruling could set the stage for a potential Supreme Court review of the issue.

The details

The 5th Circuit's majority said the law gave school boards discretion on how to implement it, so it could not be deemed unconstitutional in all applications. The court said context would matter, such as how prominently the displays appear and what other materials accompany them. However, the dissenting judges argued the majority was trying to 'evade Supreme Court precedents' by allowing the state to 'elevate words meant for devotion into objects of reverence' in public schools.

  • In 2024, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signed a law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in all K-12 public schools and state-funded colleges.
  • In November 2024, a trial court judge blocked the law from taking effect.
  • In October 2025, a three-judge 5th Circuit panel upheld the lower court's ruling blocking the law.
  • On February 20, 2026, the full 5th Circuit Court of Appeals voted 11-7 to overturn the lower court's ruling and allow the law to take effect.

The players

Jeff Landry

The Republican governor of Louisiana who signed the law requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools.

Roake et al

The plaintiffs, including parents, who sued over the law, arguing it trampled on their religious rights under the First Amendment.

Brumley et al

The defendants, representing the state of Louisiana, who defended the law in court.

James Dennis

A U.S. Circuit Judge who wrote a dissenting opinion arguing the majority was trying to 'evade Supreme Court precedents' with its ruling.

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What they’re saying

“By placing that text on permanent display in public school classrooms, not in a way that is curricular or pedagogical, the State elevates words meant for devotion into objects of reverence, exposing children to government‑endorsed religion in a setting of compulsory attendance.”

— James Dennis, U.S. Circuit Judge (5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals)

What’s next

The case could potentially be appealed to the U.S. Supreme Court, which has previously struck down similar laws requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools.

The takeaway

This ruling highlights the ongoing legal battle over the separation of church and state, with conservative states pushing to allow more religious displays in public schools despite Supreme Court precedent limiting such practices. The case could have far-reaching implications for the role of religion in public education.