The Department of Justice (DOJ) has opened an investigation into EPIC City, a proposed development by the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC). The investigation pertains to religious discrimination.
Last month, Sen. John Cornyn (R) called for an investigation into the planned city, writing to Attorney General Pam Bondi and Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon, “A master-planned ‘community of thousands of Muslims’ could violate the constitutional rights of Jewish and Christian Texans, by preventing them from living in this new community and discriminating against them within the community.”
“I further encourage the Department to investigate whether Christians, Jews, and other non-Muslim minorities would receive equal protection under the law in this new community,” he wrote.
Cornyn has since announced that a federal investigation is underway. “Any violations of federal law must be swiftly prosecuted, and I know under @POTUS’ administration, they will be,” he wrote on X.
Rep. Keith Self (R-TX) similarly thanked Trump’s DOJ for its attention to the matter.
“There is NO place for Sharia law in America,” he said. “Thank you @AGPamBondi and @TheJusticeDept for your commitment to the Constitution and ensuring North Texans are protected from religious discrimination.”
Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) has also criticized the proposed development. “The Texas Commission on Environmental Quality found that the group behind the proposed EPIC compound did not submit the required permits to begin construction,” Abbott declared on April 1. “They must confirm within seven days that they are immediately ceasing any construction of their illegal project or face the full weight of the law. The State of Texas will enforce its laws and protect our communities from unlawful actions or threats posed by EPIC or its affiliates.”
The attorney for the EPIC City project, Dan Cogdell, previously told reporters, “All they want to do is to build a community that allows them to live together with people who value family and faith. They intend to follow all the laws from the Fair Housing Standards Act and the zoning laws.”
