The Oklahoma superintendent of public education, known for his pro-Trump stance and strong religious convictions, is unable to mandate schools to display a video of him praying for the president-elect while condemning “woke teachers’ unions,” according to the state’s attorney general’s office over the weekend.
Last week, Ryan Walters distributed the video entitled “Prayer for the Nation” to superintendents across school districts, stating that he expected the video to be presented to all students currently enrolled. He also indicated that districts were to share it with parents through his email communication.
The Republican education official, who struggled with basic grammar while expressing his concern that “students’ rights and freedoms pertaining to religious liberties are under constant threat,” mentioned that he “invited” students to join him in prayer, emphasizing that participation was voluntary.
In reaction, multiple school districts announced they would not be airing his peculiar video, and the Oklahoma attorney general’s office confirmed that their decision was justified.
“This directive is not only impractical but also infringes on parents’ rights, local governance, and the fundamental right to free exercise,” asserted Phil Bacharach, a spokesperson for the AG’s office, in an interview with Oklahoma Voice.
Walters, who complained about “gaslighting from the left” during his defense on CNN Monday, has drawn scrutiny lately for other evidently partisan actions. A few months earlier, he attempted to procure a certain edition of the Bible for schools, one that corresponded with the Trump-endorsed “God Bless the USA” Bible priced at $60, from which Trump would benefit financially.
This initiative was altered following warnings from legal experts who cautioned that it could breach state laws.
Furthermore, Walters is facing a lawsuit regarding a previous directive that mandated the inclusion of the Bible in lesson plans for grades 5 through 12.
In a related note, Trump has yet to announce his selection for Secretary of Education. Walters’ unabashed praise for Trump has led some to speculate that he is vying for this position, with both individuals advocating for the dissolution of the Department of Education.
