Oklahoma Superintendent of Public Instruction Ryan Walters stood firm in his commitment to incorporate the Bible and the Ten Commandments into public school curricula during a fiery exchange with CNN host Pamela Brown. Walters, an unapologetic advocate for traditional values, pushed back against what he called “left-wing gaslighting” while defending the inclusion of biblical teachings as part of America’s historical and cultural foundation.

The CNN segment opened with Brown questioning Walters about the controversy surrounding his mandate, which has drawn backlash and a petition signed by over 14,000 parents. Walters wasted no time linking his actions to a broader conservative agenda.

“I’ve continued to hear the gaslighting from the left, frankly, even from this network, pushing lies about what’s going on across America,” Walters said. “President Trump made it clear: prayer belongs in schools, radical leftism doesn’t. Our kids should be patriotic, and parents should have a say in education. Oklahoma is enacting that agenda because that’s what our parents want. Every county in Oklahoma voted for President Trump. His vision is crystal clear, and we’re delivering.”

Brown dismissed his comments as political rhetoric and brought up concerns raised by the petition. Walters, undeterred, doubled down.

“Here’s the reality,” he countered. “The Constitution is clear on religious liberty. The left doesn’t want our kids to understand the Bible’s pivotal role in American history, but that’s a fact they can’t erase.”

The exchange became even more heated when Brown argued that the Constitution “is not crystal clear” on this issue, noting that it doesn’t explicitly reference God. Walters fired back with conviction.

“The Bible is a historical document that shaped our nation. You can’t rewrite history just because it makes some people uncomfortable,” he said.

When Brown pressed Walters about potentially including other religious texts like the Quran or the Book of Mormon in public schools, Walters stood his ground. “The Bible uniquely influenced American history in ways other religions did not,” he stated, adding, “Look, the media doesn’t have to like it, but the American people have rejected this gaslighting. We’re standing firm on this agenda.”

The CNN host concluded by emphasizing that Walters oversees an education system serving people with varying viewpoints. Walters, however, left no doubt about his priorities: aligning Oklahoma’s education policies with the values embraced by its citizens.

Since implementing the mandate in June, Walters has faced resistance from multiple Oklahoma schools, some of which have openly stated they will not alter their curriculum to include the Bible. Despite this pushback, Walters has remained steadfast, viewing his initiative as a fight for the soul of education.

Walters’ actions reflect a broader effort to restore traditional values to public education, even as critics accuse him of blurring the lines between church and state. For Walters and many Oklahoma parents, however, this is a battle worth fighting, one they see as crucial to preserving America’s identity and heritage.