Louisiana governor: 10 Commandments in schools could have stopped Trump rally shooting

BATON ROUGE, La. (BRPROUD) — In an interview with Nexstar Media at the Republican National Convention on Thursday, July 18, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry said the 10 Commandments hanging in the classroom of Thomas Matthew Crooks might have kept the man from shooting at former President Donald Trump.

On Saturday, July 13, Crooks shot at Trump during a Pennsylvania political rally. The attempted assassin’s motive is unclear. Secret Service actions leading up to the shooting and as it unfolded are being investigated.

Landry garbled the shooter’s name, and BRProud political reporter Shannon Heckt confirmed that he meant Crooks.

On Thursday, Landry ordered that flags in Louisiana fly at half-staff in honor of Corey Comperatore, who was killed at the rally while shielding his family with his body.

In the interview, Landry said using taxpayer money to defend the state’s new law requiring schools to hang in every classroom is a price he’s willing to pay. He argued that the law ultimately aims “to keep kids out of crime, to reduce violence and to bring some civility back to the country and to the world as well.”

Religious leaders across the state oppose the move, and a group of parents of public school students has sued to prevent the posters from being hung in schools, arguing that it is unconstitutional.

On Wednesday, July 17, U.S. Judge John W. deGravelles issued an order in the federal suit asking all parties in the suit to agree on an implementation date for the law. He suggested a Nov. 15 date, which would allow a hearing on Sept. 30. Parties have until noon Friday, July 19 to answer.

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