A.G. Griffin Steps In to Defend Ten Commandments Law

Arkansas Attorney General Tim Griffin will be allowed to intervene in a federal lawsuit over a measure placing copies of the Ten Commandments in Arkansas’ public schools and buildings.
Arkansas law requires a copy of the national motto, “In God We Trust,” to be displayed in public schools and other public buildings. Act 573 of 2025 by Sen. Jim Dotson (R — Bentonville) and Rep. Alyssa Brown (R — Heber Springs) requires a copy of the Ten Commandments to be displayed as well.
The measure received strong support in the Arkansas Legislature earlier this year, and Act 573 is slated to take effect in August.
However, lawyers from the ACLU and a group of atheist organizations filed complaints in court to block Act 573.
The lawsuit was filed specifically against four public school districts:
- The Fayetteville School District
- The Springdale School District
- The Bentonville School District
- The Siloam Springs School District
Ordinarily it might be up to the school districts’ attorneys to defend the districts in court. However, on Wednesday, Attorney General Tim Griffin’s office received approval to intervene in the lawsuit — meaning his team will be able to defend Act 573 in court.
Over the years, the U.S. Supreme Court has ruled that states are free to honor and recognize documents or symbols that are important to our nation’s history — like the Ten Commandments or the national motto.
The Ten Commandments are one of the earliest examples of the rule of law, and they have had a profound impact in shaping our society and our government.
During her testimony in support of Act 573 last April, Rep. Alyssa Brown noted that the U.S. Supreme Court uses a “longstanding history and tradition test” to decide if it is constitutional to display something like a copy of the Ten Commandments. Rep. Brown said, “The Ten Commandments without a doubt will pass this longstanding history and tradition test.”
We believe our federal courts ultimately will agree and uphold Act 573 as constitutional.
Articles appearing on this website are written with the aid of Family Council’s researchers and writers.