David Barton has positioned himself as an intellectual architect of a movement advancing a religious agenda in policy and education

David Barton, a prominent conservative Christian activist and self-described "amateur historian," has become a key figure in the Christian nationalist movement. He founded WallBuilders in 1988, an organization dedicated to educating the nation about the "Godly foundation of our country" and influencing public policy to reflect "Biblical values." Barton's efforts are aimed at undermining the establishment clause of the First Amendment, which dictates the separation of church and state, and he actively lobbies to infuse more Christianity into public life, including schools. He has also campaigned against the Johnson Amendment, which restricts tax-exempt groups, including churches, from direct political advocacy.

Barton's influence extends to top political figures, notably House Speaker Mike Johnson, who has praised Barton for his "profound influence on me, and my work, and my life and everything I do." Johnson previously worked for Alliance Defending Freedom, a legal group aligned with Barton's goals of increasing Christian influence in public institutions. Barton recently spoke at an event hosted by WallBuilders, further highlighting his close ties to powerful conservative leaders. His appointment as an "expert content advisor" to the Texas State Board of Education in 2025 further solidifies his role in shaping educational curricula.

In Texas, Barton has played a significant role in recent legislative efforts to integrate Christian beliefs into public education. He testified in favor of a bill requiring the display of the Ten Commandments in all Texas public school classrooms, a law that was later passed. This initiative is part of a broader campaign, with Barton's fingerprints found on 28 similar bills across 18 states. WallBuilders, his nonprofit, reported $5.9 million in revenue and $6.3 million in total assets in 2021, and benefits from donor-advised giving, which allows anonymous contributions. Experts describe these efforts as a well-organized assault on the separation of church and state, with groups like the Texas Freedom Network criticizing Barton's involvement as prioritizing political agendas over educational integrity.