Douglas Laycock in the Media

Houston Public Media April 15, 2026

Lt. Gov. Dan Patrick argues there is no separation of church and state in U.S. Constitution

Professor Emeritus Douglas Laycock explains that while the words "separation of church and state" do not appear in the Constitution, the idea is prevalent.

Straight Arrow News February 6, 2026

States target church protests with new criminal and civil penalties

Professor Emeritus Douglas Laycock comments on the severity of a Class A misdemeanor in response to a state representative's proposal to make interference with a religious service both a criminal and a civil offense.

New York Post January 15, 2026

Calif. mom accused of killing 3-year-old in ‘exorcism’ horror offers twisted defense

Professor Emeritus Douglas Laycock offers his perspective on an ongoing California criminal case in which the defendants are invoking religious freedom, observing that their case doesn't hold weight because constitutional rights can be overridden to serve compelling government interests.

Chalkbeat December 11, 2025

What a Supreme Court decision on inclusive curriculum could mean for vaccine laws

Professor Emeritus Douglas Laycock draws correlations between court decisions regarding vaccine requirements and inclusive curriculum in schools in an article about a court case for which he wrote a brief.

Houston Chronicle November 24, 2025

Ken Paxton sues Texas housing agency over funding rules for religious groups

Professor Emeritus Douglas Laycock weighs in on a recent lawsuit against the Texas Department of Housing and Community Affairs, which challenges the agency's rule blocking faith-based organizations that receive government funds for homelessness services from using the money for religious activities.

Bloomberg Law November 7, 2025

Trump Administration Argues Against Itself in Rastafarian Case

Professor Emeritus Douglas Laycock comments that the Trump administration’s shift in supporting a Rastafarian inmate’s religious liberty claim likely reflects political strategy as much as legal principle, noting the case will test how far the conservative Supreme Court majority is willing to extend religious protections within the limits of Congress’ spending power.

KVUE October 20, 2025

UT Austin professor responds to his dismissal from administrative role

Professor emeritus Douglas Laycock comments on the dismissal of a former UT administrator and its implications on academic freedoms.

San Antonio Express-News September 18, 2025

What are the limits of free speech rights? UT professor weighs in

In an article about the recent firing of a Texas State University professor, Professor Emeritus Douglas Laycock answers questions about free speech rights posed by the San Antonio Express-News.

The New York Times July 28, 2025

New Trump Administration Guidelines Stress Workplace Religious Freedoms

Emeritus Professor Douglas Laycock said the new federal policy on religious expression in the workplace was relatively moderate but failed to caution that supervisors’ religious speech could come across as coercive.

Aspen Publishing June 10, 2025

Modern American Remedies with Douglas Laycock and Richard Hasen

Professor Emeritus Douglas Laycock, expert on remedies and religious liberty, is on the Aspen Leading Edge podcast to discuss the updates to the sixth edition of the casebook Modern American Remedies: Cases and Materials, which he co-authored.

Law360 October 25, 2024

Religious Employers Should Watch This 1st Amendment Fight

Professor Emeritus Douglas Laycock predicts the Supreme Court will hear a case regarding faith-based exemptions to New York's abortion coverage in worker health plans, but doubts whether the court will issue a broad ruling that overturns case precedent.

Associated Press August 17, 2023

Legal experts question judge’s order telling Southwest lawyers to get religious-liberty training

Clinical Professor Steven Collis and Professor Emeritus Douglas Laycock share their opinions on a ruling that requires three Southwest Airline lawyers to undergo a religious-liberty training in response to a recent lawsuit ruling.

More of: Steven T Collis