The Oklahoma leader who wants a Trump Bible in every classroom and who commanded all students to pray for the president now wants to use the power of the state to establish Turning Point USA chapters in all 451 public high schools.
Ryan Walters, state superintendent of public instruction, announced a plan Sept. 23 to establish chapters of the conservative political and evangelical group across the state: “I am very excited to announce a partnership with @TPUSA to establish chapters in ALL Oklahoma high schools. Radical leftist teachers’ unions have dominated classrooms for far too long, and we are taking them back.”
Walters has generated controversy throughout his tenure for crossing the line on separation of church and state, based on his claim that America was founded as a “Christian nation.” He is currently facing litigation on multiple fronts for his efforts to infuse Christianity into public education.
Walters has generated controversy throughout his tenure for crossing the line on separation of church and state.
Turning Point USA not only is a politically partisan organization but also is infused with far-right evangelical theology. For a government official to advance its presence in public schools is sure to draw more challenges.
From President Donald Trump down, Republican officials nationwide have been promoting Turning Point USA since the assassination of its founder, Charlie Kirk, two weeks ago today.
“Charlie Kirk’s assassination has just birthed a new era of Christian conservative leaders. There will be new faces and leaders emerge all across the country,” Walters said on X last Wednesday. “The radical left celebrates his death, but they do not understand the movement that has been created.”
In his announcement, the state superintendent explained how students are encouraged to start TPUSA chapters by gathering at least three students from the same school and completing an official Chapter Charter Agreement.
The resulting groups are called Club America chapters, which are student-led organizations supported by the national organization. The aim of these groups is to promote “American values” including free markets and limited government by organizing events and activism.
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