In Oklahoma State Department of Education v. Freedom From Religion Foundation, (ED OK, Aug. 13, 2025), Oklahoma education officials, in an interesting twist, sued to enjoin the advocacy organization Freedom From Religion Foundation from interfering with Plaintiffs’ statutory authority to govern Oklahoma’s public schools. FFRF had sent letters complaining about Bible reading and prayer in classrooms in one district and appointment of a football team chaplain in another. The court held that Plaintiffs lack standing to bring the suit, saying in part:
... [T]he Complaint does not explain how these letters have interfered with day-to-day operations in any real way.
Plaintiffs’ Complaint also vaguely alludes that Plaintiffs’ injury is the “chilling effect” caused by Defendant’s letters....
... [T]he Complaint does not allege that it has stopped executing its duties or ceased administration of Oklahoma’s public schools because of Defendant’s letters.2 Nor does the Complaint allege that the schools have ceased any policies or practices because of Defendant’s letters.
For these reasons, the Court finds that Plaintiffs have failed to show an injury in fact.
[Thanks to Eugene Volokh via Religionlaw for the lead.]
