CNN
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Oklahoma is soliciting bids from Bible suppliers to supply the state’s Department of Education, but specific requirements align with the Bible championed by former President Donald Trump.
The content of the Bible specified in the state superintendent’s request for proposals (RFP), including the Pledge of Allegiance and the Declaration of Independence, aligns with musician Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless the USA Bible.” The RFP requirements also state that the Bible must include the Old and New Testaments and include a copy of the U.S. Constitution.
According to Oklahoma Watch, the terms of the bid effectively exclude thousands of Bibles.
The request for proposals document was first reported Friday by The Oklahoman’s Oklahoma Watch.
Greenwood is best known as the musician behind “God Bless the USA,” which became a staple at Trump rallies. The Bible is being sold online for $60, and the former president receives a portion of the proceeds through his endorsement, according to Oklahoma Watch.
Another Bible that fits the bill, the We The People Bible, costs $90 each. This version was also supported by President Trump.
The RFP from Superintendent Ryan Walters is part of his ongoing effort to have a Bible in every classroom. “There will be a Bible in every teacher, every classroom in the state, and they will teach based on the Bible in their classrooms,” he said.
His fiscal year 2026 budget called for $3 million to buy 55,000 copies.
Dan Isett, communications director for the Oklahoma State Department of Education, said in a statement that the RFP is consistent with “state procurement standards.”
“Superintendent Walters has committed to an open and transparent RFP process that is sufficient to meet the needs of Oklahoma’s classrooms and is compliant with state procurement standards,” Issett said in a statement to CNN. said. “There are hundreds of Bible publishers and we expect strong competition for this proposal. The RFP is open and ongoing, so it would be inappropriate to comment while the bid is in progress.”
But the peculiarities of the bidding process are raising eyebrows. In a separate statement, attorney Colleen McCarty, executive director of the Appleseed Center for Law and Justice of Oklahoma, warned that the comprehensive Biblical approach would likely invite legal challenges.
“While the RFP appears fair on the surface, further scrutiny reveals that there are very few Bibles on the market that meet these criteria, all of which are endorsed by former President Donald Trump,” McCarty said in a statement. ” he said. “Ryan Walters continues to waste taxpayer dollars on unconstitutional initiatives aimed at litigating to pursue his political ambitions. This is an affront to the principles cherished by the Constitution. and symbolizes Ryan Walters’ contempt for the rule of law.”
Mr. Walters has received an unusual amount of attention for a state superintendent. In June, he ordered all public schools to teach both the Bible and the Ten Commandments. He opposed teaching LGBTQ issues in the public school system and was described by the New York Times as one of Oklahoma’s “bravest culture warriors.” Conservative groups such as 1776 Project PAC, Moms for Liberty and Americans for Prosperity have endorsed him as a candidate for the top public school job.
As a candidate, Walters focused on culture war issues that are hot spots for conservatives, including opposition to critical race theory education, fighting gun control, and opposition to abortion rights. Ta. He endorsed Trump almost a year ago.
Oklahoma Democratic Party Chairwoman Alicia Andrews said in an interview Friday that Walters’ move as superintendent is meant to garner national attention.
“Everything he’s doing is clickbait,” Andrews said in an interview Friday, adding, “He’s not doing it for Oklahoma, he’s not doing it for the students.”
