In God We Trust

Argued the "In God We Trust" display is constitutional under the Supreme Court's current historical-practices framework, citing Kennedy v. Bremerton and historical precedents.

Traced the motto's history from the Civil War-era two-cent coin to its 1956 adoption as the national motto, arguing the display is an acknowledgment of history, not an establishment of religion.

Gave a "constitutional minute" defending the motto display, citing the Declaration of Independence's references to God and the Constitution's closing "year of our Lord."

A resident since 1965 respectfully opposed displaying "In God We Trust" at City Hall, arguing it favors some beliefs and that the motto dates only to 1956.

A resident since 1974 showed photos of other cities displaying 'In God We Trust' in council chambers and urged Thousand Oaks to do the same.

Read Benjamin Franklin's Constitutional Convention prayer speech and urged the council to display the national motto 'In God We Trust' in council chambers.

Longtime resident supporting the 'In God We Trust' display in chambers, citing John Adams and the endurance of the Constitution.

Respectfully asked the council to consider adopting 'In God We Trust' as part of the city's motto.

Repeated his request to place 'In God We Trust' in the public square and chambers.

Asked the council to display the national motto 'In God We Trust' in the public square.

Cited religious references in state constitutions and asked the city to proclaim the national motto at city hall.

A Moorpark resident and announced candidate for Ventura County Clerk, Johnson supported 'In God We Trust' displays, opposed sanctuary city policies, and alleged problems with the 2025 Prop 50 election vote counts and county election transparency.

Stella questioned whether sharing ICE locations to block enforcement truly 'loves thy neighbor,' argued detention centers shouldn't be called concentration camps, and asked the council to display 'In God We Trust' in the chambers.

A resident since 1974 and Navy veteran, Richard urged the council to display 'In God We Trust' in the council chambers, showing examples from Fillmore, Channel Islands, and Anaheim, and tied it to the nation's upcoming 250th birthday.

Shared photos of her father's hometown city halls displaying the national motto and suggested a city commemorative bicentennial-style keepsake for 2026.

Corrected the record on the constitutionality of displaying the national motto in the council chamber, citing Kennedy v. Bremerton and historical precedents.

Argued the phrase 'separation of church and state' isn't in the Constitution and urged the council to support displaying the national motto in council chambers.

Thanked the council for upholding founding values and asked that 'In God We Trust' be displayed in Thousand Oaks buildings, noting other cities have done so.

Read an Abraham Lincoln quote about forgetting God and urged the council to display 'In God We Trust.'

Spontaneously pushed back on the religious display comments, saying inclusivity matters and that kindness doesn't require invoking God, and that case law reinforces church-state separation.