The federal court has blocked enforcement of a Texas law that would place the Ten Commandments in every public school classroom, and the ruling sets off a clash between state lawmakers, local districts, civil liberties groups, and parents. U.S. District Judge Orlando L. Garcia found the measure unconstitutional under the Establishment Clause and ordered removals in certain districts by Dec. 1. That limited injunction touches several large Texas districts while leaving room for appeals and political fallout across the state.
Judge Garcia concluded that Senate Bill 10 crosses the line by forcing religious displays into public education, a decision that has immediate practical effect in the districts named in the lawsuit. The order requires school officials in the affected districts to take down Ten Commandments displays by the federal deadline, and it applies only to the districts that were party to the case. That narrow scope means the fight will likely move to other courthouses and to voters and legislators.
The lawsuit was brought by multifaith families represented by the ACLU and other advocacy groups, arguing that state-mandated religious displays harm students who are not part of the majority faith. “I am relieved that as a result of today’s ruling, my children, who are among a small number of Jewish children at their schools, will no longer be continually subjected to religious displays,” plaintiff Lenee Bien-Willner said in a statement. “The government has no business interfering with parental decisions about matters of faith.”
The ACLU framed the case as a defense of separation of church and state and student safety, saying government should not be in the business of imposing religious messages in classrooms. “Today’s ruling is yet another affirmation of what Texans already know: The First Amendment guarantees families and faith communities – not the government – the right to instill religious beliefs in our children,” Chloe Kempf, staff attorney for the ACLU of Texas, said in a statement. “Our schools are for education, not evangelization. This ruling protects thousands of Texas students from ostracization, bullying, and state-mandated religious coercion.”
On the other side, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton challenged districts that refused to follow the new law, arguing elected officials must honor the will of voters and the legislature. “These rogue ISD officials and board members blatantly disregarded the will of Texas voters who expect the legal and moral heritage of our state to be displayed in accordance with the law,” Paxton said in the news release. “Round Rock ISD and Leander ISD chose to defy a clear statutory mandate, and this lawsuit makes clear that no district may ignore Texas law without consequence,” he added.
The order currently affects a list of independent school districts, including several large suburban systems and smaller districts across the state, and the ACLU and allied groups have urged all districts to treat the law as unenforceable. That chorus of legal pressure means some school boards may scramble to comply while others weigh appeals or defiance, and parents in affected communities will see displays removed in short order. The legal teams on both sides are preparing to press their cases higher, so temporary injunctions and further rulings are likely.
This ruling puts conservatives and local officials in a difficult spot: defend a law that reflects a cultural and moral tradition, or acknowledge the constitutional constraints the courts identify and pivot to other avenues. The practical fallout will be messy, with more litigation, political campaigning, and pressure on elected school boards. Whatever the next steps, this dispute is shifting from a legislative victory into a broader contest over how religion, education, and local control interact in public schools.
Darnell Thompkins is a Canadian-born American and conservative opinion writer who brings a unique perspective to political and cultural discussions. Passionate about traditional values and individual freedoms, Darnell’s commentary reflects his commitment to fostering meaningful dialogue. When he’s not writing, he enjoys watching hockey and celebrating the sport that connects his Canadian roots with his American journey.