Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has announced that his office will defend the display of the Ten Commandments in public schools before the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. According to a press release from Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office, the full court will hold an en banc hearing to review the case, which stems from challenges to Senate Bill 10, a law allowing religious texts to be posted in classrooms.
Several lawsuits were filed against Texas school districts after the bill’s passage, prompting a federal judge to block its enforcement. Paxton appealed the decision, arguing that school districts should not be prohibited from displaying the Ten Commandments, which he described as part of the state’s legal and moral heritage.
The court has ordered expedited briefing, with arguments expected in early 2026. Attorney General Ken Paxton’s office maintains that schools are permitted to display donated copies of the Ten Commandments under the law. Meanwhile, opponents argue that the displays violate the constitutional principle of separation of church and state.
The Fifth Circuit’s decision could influence how similar cases are handled nationwide regarding the role of religious expression in public institutions.
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