EDUCATION
Ryan Walters says he'll open religious freedom office in Oklahoma education department

Molly Young
The Oklahoman
ublished 5:45 a.m. CT Nov. 13, 2024 | Updated 3:38 p.m. CT Nov. 13, 2024

State schools Superintendent Ryan Walters said he plans to open an office within the Oklahoma State Department of Education dedicated to religious freedom, his third move in five days tied to Republican Donald Trump's plans for the presidency.

Walters said the Office of Religious Liberty and Patriotism would promote its namesake principles and make sure students and teachers can freely practice their religion.

"For decades, our nation's public schools have tragically been ground zero for the erosion of religious liberty across our country," Walters said in a news release he shared on social media Tuesday.

He tagged Trump in his message, saying the president-elect had "rebuked the left on Election Day." Walters' moves follow Trump's pledge to close the U.S. Department of Education and end "federal overreach" into schools.

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