The Freedom From Religion Foundation is calling on the Hernando County School Board (Fla.) to end its newly created chaplain program and rescind the appointment of Rev. John “Jack” Martin as the state’s first school chaplain.
FFRF has warned in a letter sent to the board that the program and appointment raise profound constitutional and practical concerns under both the U.S. and Florida constitutions.
Hernando County is the first school district in Florida to appoint a chaplain under a law signed by Gov. Ron DeSantis in 2024. The district selected Martin, a self-identified member of the “Black Robe Regiment” — a Christian nationalist movement that seeks to mobilize pastors for political engagement. The movement’s founder, William Cook, spoke at the “Jericho March” in Washington, D.C., which occurred the night before the Jan. 6 Capitol insurrection.
Martin has publicly defended the Jan. 6 rioters, writing: “Truth be told the crime in the capitol that day was the ratification of the theft of the presidency of the United States, but they want you to watch the shiny coin.” He has also written a song, “The Ballad of J6ers,” portraying the insurrection as a “peaceful, patriotic protest.” In addition, Martin has argued that the United States was founded as a Christian nation, has asserted that non-Christians should not be allowed to pray in Congress, and has encouraged parents to pull their children out of public schools.
“Public schools are charged with educating students in an inclusive environment, not providing religious or spiritual guidance or prayer leaders,” FFRF Legal Counsel Chris Line writes to the board. “Rev. Martin has openly promoted Christian nationalism and disparaged public education itself. His stated views are incompatible with the religious neutrality required of public schools and threaten to undermine the trust and inclusivity essential to serving Hernando County’s diverse student body.”
FFRF’s letter emphasized that students needing emotional or psychological support must be served by licensed professionals — not clergy with religious and political agendas. Chaplains lack the training, credentials, and neutrality required to provide appropriate care to all students. Allowing clergy into public schools risks coercion, favoritism and litigation.
“Public schools should educate, not evangelize,” says FFRF Co-President Annie Laurie Gaylor. “This program is a dangerous step toward turning Florida’s schools into Christian nationalist recruiting grounds, and Hernando County should not be leading that charge.”
FFRF is urging the Hernando County School Board to immediately cease its chaplain policy, remove Rev. Martin from his role, and recommit to protecting the constitutional rights of students.
The Freedom From Religion Foundation is a national nonprofit organization with over 42,000 members and several chapters nationwide, including more than 2,000 members and a chapter in Florida. FFRF’s purposes are to protect the constitutional principle of separation between church and state, and to educate the public on matters relating to nontheism.
