EDMOND, Okla. (AP) 鈥� Oklahoma鈥檚 education superintendent has sent an email to public school superintendents requiring them to show students his of a new Department of Religious Freedom and Patriotism within the state Department of Education.
Ryan Walters, a Republican, the new office on Wednesday and on Thursday sent the email to school superintendents statewide.
鈥淚n 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,鈥� 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 鈥渂y woke teachers unions,鈥� then prays for the leaders of the United States after saying students do not have to join in the prayer.
鈥淚n particular, I pray for President Donald Trump and his team as they continue to bring about change to the country,鈥� Walters said.
In announcing the new department, Walters said it would 鈥渙versee the investigation of abuses to individual religious freedom or displays of patriotism.鈥�
Two of the state's largest districts, Edmond in suburban Oklahoma City and Bixby in suburban Tulsa, said they have no plans to show students the video.
A spokesperson for the Tulsa district, the state's largest, did not immediately return a phone call for comment. A spokesperson for the Oklahoma City district, the second largest, said district officials would meet to discuss the email.
The office of state Attorney General Gentner Drummond issued a statement Friday saying Walters has no authority under state law to issue such a mandate.
鈥淣ot only is this edict unenforceable, it is contrary to parents鈥� rights, local control and individual free-exercise rights,鈥� the statement said.
Walters already faces over his June mandate that schools into lesson plans for students in grades 5 through 12. Several have previously stated that they will disregard the mandate.
One of the lawsuits also notes that the initial request for proposal released by the State Department of Education to purchase the Bibles appears to have been tailored to match that sell for $59.99 each.
The request for proposal was at the request of state purchasing officials.
The Associated Press that Trump鈥檚 鈥淕od Bless the USA鈥� Bible were printed in China, a country Trump has repeatedly accused of stealing American jobs and engaging in unfair trade practices, at a price of less than $3 per Bible.
Walters earlier this week announced that he has purchased more than 500 Bibles to be used in Advanced Placement government classes.
A statement from the education department said the 500 Bibles are 鈥淕od Bless the USA Bibles,鈥� were ordered Thursday for about $25,000 and will arrive 鈥渋n the coming weeks.鈥�
Walters, a former public school teacher elected in 2022, ran on banning books from school libraries and getting rid of 鈥渞adical leftists鈥� who he claims are indoctrinating children in classrooms.
Ken Miller, The Associated Press
