Oklahoma attorney general says state schools superintendent cannot mandate students watch prayer video

Source: CBS News/AP

Updated on: November 16, 2024 / 2:08 PM EST


The Oklahoma attorney general's office responded after the state's education superintendent sent an email this week to public school administrators requiring them to show students his video announcement of a new Department of Religious Freedom and Patriotism. In the video, he prays for President-elect Trump.

Ryan Walters, a Republican, announced the new office on Wednesday and on Thursday sent the email to school superintendents statewide. The new department will be within the state's Department of Education. Walters said it would "oversee the investigation of abuses to individual religious freedom or displays of patriotism." "In one of the first steps of the newly created department, we are requiring all of Oklahoma schools to play the attached video to all kids that are enrolled," according to the email.

Districts were also told to send the video to all parents of students. In the video, Walters says religious liberty has been attacked and patriotism mocked "by woke teachers unions," then prays for the leaders of the United States after saying students do not have to join in the prayer. In particular, I pray for President Donald Trump and his team as they continue to bring about change to the country," Walters said.

The office of state Attorney General Gentner Drummond told CBS News on Saturday that Walters has no authority under state law to issue such a mandate. "Not only is this edict unenforceable, it is contrary to parents' rights, local control and individual free-exercise rights," said the attorney general's office spokesperson Phil Bacharach.

Read more: https://www.cbsnews.com/news/oklahoma-officials-religious-department-schools-classroom-lawsuit/