Okla. State Superintendent Wants Video of Him Praying for Donald Trump to Be Shown in Public Schools

Mar. 15, 2025

Ryan Walters, Donald Trump.Photo:AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki; Chip Somodevilla/Getty

AP Photo/Sue Ogrocki; Chip Somodevilla/Getty

A top education official in Oklahoma has released a video of himself praying for President-electDonald Trump, which he reportedly wants to be played in schools.

“I will now say a prayer, and to be clear students you don’t have to join. But, if you so wish, I’m gonna go ahead and pray,” Walters said in the video.

“Dear God, thank you for all the blessings you’ve given our country. I pray for our leaders to make the right decisions,” he added.

Walters continued, “I pray in particular for President Donald Trump and his team as they continue to bring about change to the country.”

“I pray for our parents, teachers and kids … that they get the best education possible and live high-quality lives,” he said in the clip.

In an interview withCNN’s Pam Brown, Walters mentioned Trump “has a clear mandate” and that he “wants prayer back in school.”

PerThe Oklahoman, public school superintendents received an email on Thursday, Nov. 14, telling them to show Walters' video to students.

Ryan Walters prays for Donald Trump in a YouTube video.Oklahoma State Department of Education

Oklahoma State Department of Education

The Office of the Oklahoma Attorney General said in a statement to PEOPLE: “There is no statutory authority for the state schools superintendent to require all students to watch a specific video."

“Not only is this edict unenforceable, it is contrary to parents’ rights, local control and individual free-exercise rights,” their message added.

PEOPLE also reached out to Oklahoma State Department of Education spokesperson Dan Isett, but he did not immediately respond.

Donald Trump.Brandon Bell/Getty

Brandon Bell/Getty

Isett said, per theOklahoma Voice, “Supt. Walters is ending the ongoing attacks on President Donald Trump and his agenda to get prayer back in schools.”

According toThe Oklahoman, multiple school districts have said they have no intention of showing the video.

Walters first announced the inclusion of the Bible in the school curriculum in June.

source: people.com