Oklahoma’s Superintendent of Public Instruction, Ryan Walters, has initiated a controversial move to purchase 55,000 Bibles for the state’s public schools, raising concerns over the specificity of the criteria, which seem to align with Bibles endorsed by former President Donald Trump. The request for proposals (RFP) opened on Monday, detailing requirements that include the King James Version (KJV) of the Bible, leather or leather-like binding, and the inclusion of U.S. founding documents such as the Declaration of Independence and the U.S. Constitution.
Narrow Requirements Favor Trump-Endorsed Bibles
The parameters of the RFP have raised eyebrows, with critics pointing out that very few Bibles meet the strict guidelines. One of the few that does is the God Bless the U.S.A. Bible, endorsed by Trump and country singer Lee Greenwood. The Bible costs $60 and features both the Old and New Testaments alongside founding U.S. documents, making it one of the few options that fit the state’s criteria.
“The RFP on its face seems fair, but with additional scrutiny, we can see there are very few Bibles on the market that would meet these criteria, and all of them have been endorsed by former President Donald Trump,” McCarty said.
Legal and Ethical Concerns Raised
Former Oklahoma Attorney General Drew Edmondson expressed concerns about the competitive fairness of the bid.
“It appears to me that this bid is anything but competitive,” Edmondson said, pointing out that the additional specifications regarding binding and documents seem to exclude most Bible vendors.
Edmondson also raised questions about whether the bid violates state law, stating that it could be challenged if deemed unnecessarily restrictive.
Separation of church and state concerns are also being voiced, given the implication of using state funds to purchase religious materials for public schools. Some argue that less expensive alternatives, such as paperback Bibles available for as little as $2.99 or free Bible apps, could meet the state’s academic needs without raising these concerns.
Walters’ Push for Classroom Bibles
Walters has been vocal about his desire to place Bibles in Oklahoma classrooms, framing the initiative as a way to educate students on the historical and literary significance of the Bible in American history.
“We have talked about ensuring that our history courses include the role the Bible played throughout American history. As a Christian myself, the idea of diminishing the word of God to a mere classroom prop is a little repulsive to me, so we will not be complying with that directive of having a physical Bible in every classroom.” Walters said during a recent meeting with the Oklahoma State Board of Education.
However, Walters’ plan to purchase 55,000 Bibles—significantly more than the number of teachers in the state—has raised questions about the true intent behind the mandate.
Some local school districts have expressed reluctance to implement Walters’ mandate.
“As a Christian myself, the idea of diminishing the word of God to a mere classroom prop is a little repulsive to me, so we will not be complying with that directive of having a physical Bible in every classroom.”, Superintendent Rob Miller
Costs and Political Implications
| Bible | Cost per Unit | Total Cost (for 55,000) |
| God Bless the U.S.A. Bible | $60 | $3.3 million |
| We The People Bible | $90 | $4.95 million |
| Paperback New King James Bible | $2.99 | $164,450 |
The cost of purchasing the 55,000 Bibles is estimated at $3.3 million, a figure that has led some to question the use of state funds for what could be perceived as a political move. Walters has requested $3 million from the state legislature and claims to have already secured an additional $3 million from payroll savings.
Many speculate that Walters, who endorsed Trump in the 2024 election, is leveraging the Bible purchase to gain favor with the former president and his supporters. The overlap between the state’s Bible requirements and Trump-endorsed products has only fueled these suspicions, with some arguing that Walters is using taxpayer funds to align himself politically with Trump.
Looking Ahead
While the bid process is currently underway, critics continue to scrutinize Walters’ actions, raising legal, ethical, and financial concerns. If Walters’ Bible initiative moves forward as planned, Oklahoma could become the first state in the nation to distribute Bibles to every public school classroom, though whether this move will withstand legal challenges remains to be seen.
The final decision on which Bibles will be selected and distributed is expected in the coming weeks as the RFP closes.
