A rare “en banc” hearing suggests the court may be preparing to overturn decades of legal precedent regarding religious displays in schools.
TLDR
On January 20, 2026, the full 5th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals heard oral arguments in Roake v. Brumley and Nathan v. Alamo Heights ISD. The 17-judge panel is reconsidering whether Louisiana and Texas can mandate Ten Commandments displays in public classrooms. Lower courts previously blocked these laws based on the 1980 Supreme Court ruling Stone v. Graham. However, the 5th Circuit vacated that decision to rehear the case “en banc.” This procedural move often indicates the court intends to reverse the panel and uphold the laws. Proponents argue the displays are historical, not coercive. Opponents argue they force religion on a captive student audience. A ruling favoring the states would directly challenge Supreme Court precedent and likely force a final showdown at the High Court.
Case Info: Roake v. Brumley (Louisiana) and Nathan v. Alamo Heights Independent School District (Texas) | Link to Oral Arguments
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