WASHINGTON, D.C. — May 11, 2025

The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has launched a civil rights investigation into the proposed “Epic City” housing development in North Texas—a Muslim-led community project that has become the target of escalating political rhetoric and accusations of religious discrimination.

The probe, reportedly opened on May 9, comes after Republican Senator John Cornyn formally requested federal scrutiny, citing fears over “religious discrimination” and the alleged introduction of Sharia law—claims widely dismissed by legal experts and civil rights groups as unfounded and inflammatory.

“Religious discrimination and Sharia law have no home in Texas,” Cornyn posted on X, announcing that Attorney General Pam Bondi had confirmed the investigation was underway.

A Development Turned Culture War Flashpoint

The controversy centers on a project spearheaded by the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC), which aims to develop a multi-use residential community northeast of Dallas. Plans include homes, a school, a community college, and assisted living facilities, serving a multi-ethnic and religiously inclusive population.

Despite this, right-wing commentators and political figures have painted the project as an attempt to establish a parallel Islamic legal system—a claim not supported by any legal evidence.

The uproar gained momentum in February after Texas Governor Greg Abbott declared on X: “Sharia law is not allowed in Texas,” echoing a viral post by far-right influencer Amy Mekelburg, who mischaracterized the development as a “Sharia City.”

Soon after, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton launched a state-level investigation on March 25, demanding records from developers and local authorities. Governor Abbott then ordered a halt to construction, citing alleged legal violations despite no documented breaches of state or federal law.

Political Infighting and Rhetoric

The DOJ’s move arrives amid growing intra-party rivalry between Cornyn and Paxton. Just one day after Paxton announced his bid to unseat Cornyn, the senator called for federal involvement in the project—raising questions about political motivations behind the scrutiny.

“This project is being used as a political football by Texas officials to score points with the far-right,” said a civil rights lawyer familiar with the case. “The fact that it’s a Muslim-led initiative seems to be the only reason it’s under this much fire.”

Legal and Civil Rights Defense

Dan Cogdell, the attorney representing Epic City, dismissed the investigations as baseless and politically charged.

“These folks are U.S. citizens, law-abiding and Texans,” Cogdell said, emphasizing that the developers have broken no laws and are cooperating fully with state and federal inquiries. “The attacks on this project are not only completely without merit and totally misleading—they are dangerous.”

He noted that similar developments tied to Christian churches or other religious institutions have not faced the same scrutiny, suggesting a double standard rooted in Islamophobia.

The Justice Department has not officially commented on Cornyn’s announcement or confirmed the status of the investigation.

Broader Implications

Civil rights groups warn the backlash against Epic City reflects a broader pattern of anti-Muslim hysteria in U.S. politics, where Muslim civic initiatives are often portrayed as threats rather than exercises of constitutionally protected freedoms.

The EPIC Center describes itself as “a multi-ethnic, multi-racial, multi-lingual, non-sectarian, diverse, and open community” committed to equal participation of men and women.

As investigations unfold, the developers—and many in the community—fear the project could be delayed or derailed by political pressure rather than legal merit.