Oklahoma’s State Superintendent, Ryan Walters, is seeking to purchase 55,000 Bibles for public schools, with each copy containing the Declaration of Independence and U.S. Constitution. These additions are not commonly found in Bibles, but they are included in a specific version endorsed by former President Donald Trump. Walters is looking to spend $3 million in state funds for these Bibles, which must meet certain criteria, including being bound in leather or leather-like material for durability. Some of Oklahoma’s largest school districts have pushed back against this effort to require Bibles in every classroom, with concerns about the use of state funds and the specific Bible being promoted.
The bidding documents for the purchase of these Bibles have raised questions about potential favoritism towards the Bible backed by Trump. Former Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson, a Democrat, has criticized the bid, stating that it may limit competition and could be voided by a court if found to be inappropriate. Walters previously mandated the incorporation of the Bible into lessons for grades 5 through 12 in public schools, with the requirement that the Bibles include both the Old Testament and New Testament, the Pledge of Allegiance, and the Bill of Rights. According to Colleen McCarty of the Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law and Justice, very few Bibles on the market meet these specific criteria, and they have all been endorsed by Trump.
The Bible in question, known as the “God Bless the USA Bible,” is inspired by country singer Lee Greenwood’s patriotic ballad. Trump has promoted this Bible at his rallies and events, often accompanied by Greenwood. The Bible’s website clarifies that the product is not political and is not associated with any political campaign, but it does use Trump’s name and likeness under a paid license. Trump reportedly earned $300,000 from sales of the Bible, as per his financial disclosures. Walters, who was elected to his post in 2022, has made fighting “woke ideology,” banning books from school libraries, and removing “radical leftists” from classrooms part of his platform.
Despite backlash and concerns about the bidding process, Walters and the Oklahoma State Department of Education maintain that the proposal is open to any vendor, and they expect robust competition for it. While some question the motives behind the push for these specific Bibles in public schools, the state is moving forward with its plan to purchase 55,000 copies that align with Walters’ vision of incorporating the Bible and U.S. historical materials into classroom instruction. Ultimately, the decision to move forward with this purchase will likely lead to further debate and scrutiny from various stakeholders in Oklahoma’s education system.
