Federal Judge Blocks Arkansas' Mandate to Display Ten Commandments in Schools

On August 4, 2025, U.S. District Judge Timothy Brooks issued a preliminary injunction blocking the enforcement of Arkansas Act 573, a law mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in public school classrooms and libraries. The injunction applies to four school districts: Fayetteville, Springdale, Bentonville, and Siloam Springs.

Act 573, signed into law by Governor Sarah Huckabee Sanders, required that a specific version of the Ten Commandments be prominently displayed in all public school classrooms and libraries. The law was set to take effect on August 5, 2025.

The legal challenge was brought by seven multifaith families, represented by organizations including the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) and Americans United for Separation of Church and State. The plaintiffs argued that the law violated the First Amendment by promoting a particular religious doctrine in public schools. Judge Brooks concurred, stating that the law was "plainly unconstitutional" under both the Establishment and Free Exercise Clauses.

In his ruling, Judge Brooks referenced a 45-year-old Supreme Court precedent that struck down a similar law, emphasizing that this precedent remains binding and renders Act 573 unconstitutional. He also noted that the Arkansas law was part of a coordinated strategy among several states to introduce Christian doctrine into public-school classrooms.

Governor Sanders defended the law, stating, "In Arkansas, we do in fact believe that murder is wrong and stealing is bad. It is entirely appropriate to display the Ten Commandments—the basis of all Western law and morality—as a reminder to students, state employees, and every Arkansan who enters a government building."

Attorney General Tim Griffin indicated that his office is reviewing the court's order and assessing legal options.

The injunction reflects ongoing national debates over the role of religion in public education. Similar laws in Louisiana and Texas have faced legal challenges, with Louisiana's law being declared unconstitutional by a federal appeals court. These cases highlight the tension between efforts to incorporate religious elements into public institutions and the constitutional mandate for the separation of church and state.

The ruling temporarily prevents the implementation of Act 573 in the specified districts, affecting nearly 500,000 students returning to school. As similar cases emerge nationwide, the legal landscape surrounding religious displays in schools continues to evolve, reflecting broader societal debates over the role of religion in public spaces.