The 12-6 ruling from the 5th Circuit clears the way for Louisiana schools to implement the Ten Commandments law after a lower court had blocked it in 2024. The majority opinion said it was too early to determine constitutionality, noting that details such as the prominence of the displays, teacher use, and whether other historical documents would also be posted remain unclear.

The court emphasized that there is insufficient information to permit judicial judgment rather than speculation on potential First Amendment issues. Six judges dissented, arguing that the law exposes students to government-endorsed religion and that a review is appropriate at this stage. Circuit Judge James L. Dennis called the measure “precisely the kind of establishment the Framers anticipated and sought to prevent.”

Louisiana’s law follows similar measures in other states, including Texas and Arkansas, where courts have blocked or limited Ten Commandments displays in classrooms. Supporters argue the law reflects the historical and legal foundations of the United States, while critics contend it violates the separation of church and state.

The ruling comes amid broader Republican efforts to incorporate historical and religious instruction into public schools. Past Supreme Court cases, including a 1980 Kentucky ruling, have struck down classroom displays that were found to serve a plainly religious purpose, though markers on state capitol grounds have been upheld.