Governor Abbott Writes To AG Paxton, Backs Police Religious Mottos
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AUSTIN (CBSDFW.COM/AP) — Governor Greg Abbott is voicing his support for a Texas police department displaying "In God We Trust" on its patrol vehicles.
Abbott wrote to Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton on Monday saying "there can be no doubt" courts would side with the Childress Police Department.
Its officers have placed "In God We Trust" on vehicles amid nationally publicized tensions between law enforcement and some of the communities they serve.
The nonprofit Freedom From Religion Foundation asked Childress police to remove the mottos, citing separation-of-church-and-state standards. After receiving the request, Police Chief Adrian Garcia sent a terse letter telling the group to "go fly a kite".
Abbott was attorney general before becoming governor in January. His letter cited legal opinions backing protections for religious freedom.
Conservative state lawmakers have asked Paxton, who has been indicted on securities fraud charges, for an attorney general's opinion providing legal guidance on the matter.
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