Federal Judge Orders Iowa to Allow Satanic Temple Holiday Event in Capitol Rotunda; State Will Appeal
The ruling says the state may not bar the group's December event over fears its Krampus costumes would frighten children. Iowa's attorney general says the state will appeal at once.
See where this is ›DES MOINES, Iowa —
Chief U.S. District Judge Stephanie M. Rose on Monday, Nov. 2, ordered Iowa officials to let the Satanic Temple's Iowa chapter hold a holiday event in the rotunda of the Iowa State Capitol in Des Moines, according to NBC News and The Christian Post. The order gives Mark Campbell, director of the Iowa Department of Administrative Services, which schedules events at the Capitol, seven days to approve the group's application.
See where this is ›The state turned down the group's permit applications in 2024, 2025 and 2026. Officials pointed to a planned Krampus costume contest, saying the costumes would frighten children and that the sticks carried with them could be used as weapons. Gov. Kim Reynolds said in 2025 that the event targeted children and was harmful to minors. The group also plans caroling, coloring pages and ornament-making for children.
Rose found the group likely to win its free-speech claim. Concern that the Krampus character might scare children is “not a permissible basis for excluding speech,” she wrote, and worry over the sticks cannot justify denying the whole event. The state may still screen props brought into the building and apply the same conditions it sets for other indoor events.
Attorney General Brenna Bird's office said it “will immediately appeal today's decision,” the Heartlander reported. “Families with young children visit the Capitol regularly, especially over the holiday season,” said spokeswoman Jen Green.
The Satanic Temple and the leader of its Iowa chapter sued in August with help from the ACLU of Iowa, arguing that the denials were unconstitutional viewpoint discrimination. The suit also seeks money damages and a permanent order barring future denials. “This was always going to be a family-friendly event,” said Matt Kezhaya, the group's attorney.
NBC News reported that the rotunda already holds a Christmas tree and other religious holiday displays. The group's 2023 Baphomet display at the Capitol was vandalized, which drew national attention to its activities there. KCRG reported that the event is set for Dec. 12.
What we don't know yet: Whether the state will ask an appeals court to halt the order before the December event, and whether a stay would be granted. Watchman News has not seen the written ruling itself.
