Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry signs a controversial Ten Commandments law for classrooms, undeterred by a schoolgirl fainting during the ceremony. The law faces potential constitutional challenges.
Louisiana, Bollywood Fever: Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry remained undeterred as he signed a measure into law mandating the display of the Ten Commandments in every classroom throughout the state, even as a schoolgirl passed out behind him during the ceremony.
During the signing event on Thursday, Republican Gov. Landry praised the legislation, asserting that “if you want to respect the rule of law, you’ve got to start from the original lawgiver.” As he spoke, a schoolgirl fainted, collapsing to the floor. Despite the commotion as adults and children gathered around the child, Landry continued his speech, emphasizing that Moses received the commandments from God and then passed them on to us.
Footage of the incident quickly circulated on social media, drawing criticism and highlighting distaste for the law. MSNBC host Katie Phang commented on Landry’s “self-satisfied smug look, while a young child passes out behind him.” Other commenters echoed concerns, with one remarking that “nobody caring about the child fainting in the background and just carrying on is a perfect representation of this country,” and another suggesting that “the child passing out is a bad omen.”
Critics of the legislation argue that it violates the constitutional separation of church and state. The new law mandates that the Ten Commandments be displayed in classrooms from kindergarten through state-funded universities starting in 2025, using “large, easily readable font.” The posters will also include a statement explaining the historical significance of the Ten Commandments in American public education.
Louisiana is the first state to pass such a law, though it is expected to face legal challenges. The ACLU has announced plans to file a lawsuit against the state, asserting that the law is unconstitutional. “The law violates the separation of church and state and is blatantly unconstitutional,” the ACLU stated. “Politicians have no business imposing their preferred religious doctrine on students and families in public schools.”
The legislation specifies that the posters will be funded through donations, not state funds. It also authorizes, but does not require, the display of other historical documents like the Mayflower Compact, the Declaration of Independence, and the Northwest Ordinance in K-12 public schools.
Similar bills have been proposed in states like Texas, Oklahoma, and Utah, but legal concerns have halted those efforts. In 1980, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled a similar Kentucky law unconstitutional, stating it had no secular purpose and served a plainly religious purpose, violating the establishment clause of the U.S. Constitution.
After finishing the bill signing, Landry and his wife, Sharon, reportedly visited the fainted girl, checked on her well-being, and presented her with an official governor’s pen and a stuffed alligator. “It was definitely comforting that he went and checked on her like that,” the girl’s mother told the Acadiana Advocate.
This controversial law comes during a shift to conservative leadership in Louisiana under Governor Landry, who succeeded two-term Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards in January.
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