Federal court say Texas can enforce Ten Commandment public school law

Mateo Rosiles, USA TODAY NETWORKWed, April 22, 2026 at 1:32 AM UTC

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A Federal court in Texas ruled that states can require public schools to display donated posters of the Ten Commandments.

The U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit ruled Tuesday evening, April 21, in favor of the state, concluding that the law — known as Senate Bill 10 — does not establish an official state religion.

"S.B. 10 looks nothing like a historical religious establishment," read the court's opinion. "It does not tell churches or synagogues or mosques what to believe or how to worship or whom to employ as priests, rabbis, or imams. It punishes no one who rejects the Ten Commandments, no matter the reason."

A Ten Commandments monument stands outside the Texas State Capitol in 2005.

The opinion also states that S.B. 10 does not coerce people to practice Christianity, and it just "puts a poster on a classroom wall."

"Yes, Plaintiffs have sincere religious disagreements with its content," read the opinion. "But that does not transform the poster into a summons to prayer."

The case — Rabbi Nathan v. Alamo Heights Independent School District — was argued in January before all 17 judges of the court, along with a similar Ten Commandments in public schools requirement from Louisiana.

According to USA TODAY reporting, the court ruled in favor of Louisiana in February, finding that there wasn't enough information about factors such as the content and prominence of the Ten Commandments displays in schools to blow the bill.

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Texas leaders celebrate ruling on Ten Commandment Bill

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaks during the Conservative Political Action Conference USA 2026 at the Gaylord Texan Resort and Convention Center, in Grapevine, Texas, U.S., March 28, 2026.

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton argued before the court on behalf of the state and celebrated the ruling as soon as it was announced.

"This is a major victory for Texas and our moral values,” said Paxton in a statement. “My office was proud to defend SB 10 and successfully ensure that the Ten Commandments will be displayed in classrooms across Texas. The Ten Commandments have had a profound impact on our nation, and it’s important that students learn from them every single day.

Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows called the ruling a "big win" for the Texas Constitution, families, students and the rule of law on social media.

"This decision affirms what we’ve said all along: this law is consistent with our nation’s history and constitutional principles," read Burrow's social media post. "Texas has always led the way in defending religious liberty and the values that helped shape our country."

Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick makes a quick stop in Lubbock, Texas to discuss wins for the West Texas region from the 89th Session of the Texas Legislature during a news conference on June 6, 2025.

Both Texas leaders were joined in their celebration by Texas Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick on social media, who had placed the bill among the Texas Senate's top priorities.

"As chair of President Trump’s Religious Liberty Commission, I will never stop fighting for Texans’ and Americans’ religious liberty rights," read Patrick's social media post.

Mateo Rosiles is the Texas Connect reporter for USA TODAY and its regional papers in Texas. Got a news tip for him? Email him: mrosiles@usatodayco.com.

This article originally appeared on USATNetwork: Federal court rules Texas public school can display Ten Commandments

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