News Scrap

Oklahoma Attorney General Gentner Drummond has rejected State Superintendent Ryan Walters’ attempt to mandate that schools show students a video promoting a newly established Department of Religious Freedom and Patriotism. The video, which includes a prayer for President Donald Trump, was sent to public school superintendents across the state with instructions to show it to students and share it with parents.

Drummond’s office stated Friday that Walters lacks the legal authority to enforce such a directive.

In the video, Walters claims that religious liberty is under attack and that patriotism is being mocked by “woke teachers unions.” He introduces the new department as a watchdog for potential abuses of religious freedom and patriotic expression in schools.

The video also includes a prayer led by Walters, during which he says:
“In particular, I pray for President Donald Trump and his team as they continue to bring about change to the country.”

Walters tells students they are not required to participate in the prayer but emphasizes its inclusion as part of the department’s mission.

Attorney General Drummond’s office dismissed Walters’ directive as “unenforceable” and criticized it for infringing on parents’ rights, local control of schools, and individual freedom of religion.

“There is no statutory authority for the state schools superintendent to require all students to watch a specific video,” said Phil Bacharach, Drummond’s communications director.

The controversy has led several school districts, including Edmond and Bixby, to announce that they will not show the video to students.

This is not Walters’ first attempt to incorporate religious elements into Oklahoma’s education system. In June, Walters ordered schools to integrate the Bible into lesson plans for students in grades 5 through 12. Many districts disregarded the directive, and Walters is currently facing two lawsuits related to that mandate.

Adding to the controversy, Walters recently announced the purchase of more than 500 copies of the “God Bless the USA Bible” for Oklahoma classrooms. This version of the Bible, endorsed by Donald Trump earlier this year, includes additional documents like the U.S. Constitution, Bill of Rights, Declaration of Independence, and the Pledge of Allegiance. The state education department confirmed that the Bibles were purchased for roughly $25,000 and will arrive in the coming weeks.

Critics, including local educators and legal experts, have raised concerns about the separation of church and state, as well as Walters’ repeated attempts to blend religion with public education.