Question

which was a central government issue surrounding the scopes trial that the aclu tried to highlight?
application of the equal protection clause
abuse of executive privilege
regulating interstate commerce
separation of church and state

Explanation:

The Scopes Trial was about teaching evolution vs. creationism. The ACLU aimed to highlight the separation of church and state, as the law (Butler Act) was religiously motivated (promoting creationism, a religious view) and violated the First Amendment's establishment clause, which relates to separating church and state. The other options: equal protection clause (about equality, not Scopes' focus), executive privilege (about presidential powers, irrelevant), interstate commerce (about trade, not related).

Answer:

D. separation of church and state