Trump-supported Bible adheres to the criteria specified for Oklahoma educational institutions
The Bible specifications outlined in Oklahoma's state superintendent for public instruction's request for proposals (RFP) align with musician Lee Greenwood's God Bless the USA Bible. The RFP mandates features such as the Pledge of Allegiance, Declaration of Independence, Old and New Testaments, and the US Constitution.
Oklahoma Watch reports that this RFP setup effectively excludes numerous Bible options for schools.
Initial reporting of the RFP came from Oklahoma Watch in The Oklahoman on Friday.
Notably, Lee Greenwood is the musician behind "God Bless the USA," a popular anthem at Trump rallies. On the web, these Bibles sell for $60, with Trump receiving a portion of the revenue via Greenwood's endorsement, as per Oklahoma Watch.
Another compliant Bible is the We The People Bible, costing $90 per copy. Trump also endorsed this version.
Ryan Walters, the superintendent, aims to distribute Bibles to every classroom and teaching them from the Bible. He's stated, "every teacher, every classroom in the state will have a Bible in the classroom and will be teaching from the Bible in the classroom."
In 2026, Walters' fiscal year budget requests $3 million to stock 55,000 copies.
Oklahoma State Department of Education Director of Communications Dan Isett defended the RFP as consistent with "state procurement norms." He added, "Superintendent Walters has pledged an open and transparent RFP process, adhering to the norms of state procurement, which will cater to Oklahoma's classroom needs. We anticipate substantial competition for this proposal."
However, the details of the bidding process have sparked curiosity. Colleen McCarty, Attorney and Executive Director of the Oklahoma Appleseed Center for Law & Justice, raised legal concerns, warning that legal challenges could emerge as a result of this overarching Bible initiative.
"The RFP appears to be unbiased, but closer examination reveals fewer Bible options that would meet these criteria, and all of them are endorsed by former President Donald Trump," McCarty stated. "Ryan Walters' misuse of taxpayer money continues on unconstitutional pursuits to instigate litigation, pursuing his political ambitions. It undermines the constitution's core values and symbolizes Walters' disregard for the law."
Walters' popularity transcends typical state superintendents. In June, he ordered all public schools to teach both the Bible and the Ten Commandments. He vehemently opposes teaching LGBTQ issues and is recognized by The New York Times as one of Oklahoma's "most strident culture warriors." Conservative groups like the 1776 Project PAC, Moms for Liberty, and Americans for Prosperity back him as a school system mainstay candidate.
As a candidate, Walters campaigned on culture war issues, appealing to conservative tastes with opposition to teaching critical race theory, battling gun control laws, and opposing abortion rights. He endorsed Trump over a year ago.
According to Alicia Andrews, Chairwoman of the Oklahoma Democratic Party, Walters' actions as superintendent are purely for headlines.
"Everything he does is for clickbait," Andrews remarked in an interview on Friday, concluding, "he's not doing it for what's good for Oklahoma, what's good for our students."
This Bible initiative led by Oklahoma's state superintendent, Ryan Walters, has sparked controversy in the realm of politics due to its exclusive focus on specific Bible versions.
The strict requirements outlined in the RFP for Oklahoma's classrooms seem to favor specific Bible options endorsed by former President Donald Trump, raising concerns about bias and potential misuse of taxpayer funds.
