Cornyn’s Call for Investigation

In a letter addressed to Harmeet Dhillon, the Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights, Cornyn expressed his unease about the development, known as EPIC City, which he asserts could infringe upon the constitutional rights of Jewish and Christian Texans. His letter states:

“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.”

He further urged the DOJ to investigate whether equal protections under the law would extend to Christians, Jews, and other non-Muslim minorities in this community.

Response from Advocacy Groups

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), a prominent Muslim civil rights organization, has reacted by urging the DOJ to investigate potential constitutional violations by Texas officials targeting Muslim communities. CAIR’s Government Affairs Department Director, Robert S. McCaw, responded to Cornyn’s request by stating:

“Senator Cornyn’s request is not only factually baseless. It weaponizes tired Islamophobic tropes to portray a peaceful, inclusive development project as suspicious simply because it is Muslim-led.”

CAIR criticized Cornyn’s actions as politically motivated and claimed that they violate the First and Fourteenth Amendments of the U.S. Constitution.

State Investigations Expand

On the same day Cornyn’s request surfaced, Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton expanded his investigation into the development, looking for communications between the East Plano Islamic Center and local officials. Paxton stated:

“If any local official is supporting or communicating with a real estate development that is under investigation for potential violations of state law, then it’s imperative that we are made aware of exactly what’s being communicated.”

This inquiry adds to an ongoing investigation into Community Capital Partners, the main developer associated with EPIC City, and has attracted significant attention from state officials.

Political Implications

The scrutiny surrounding EPIC City has coincided with a contentious political landscape in Texas, as Paxton has announced his candidacy for the U.S. Senate, challenging Cornyn for his seat. This rivalry has already led to negative campaign ads and public debates about their differing stances on issues related to Trump and Texas law.

Paxton accused Cornyn of disloyalty to Trump, while Cornyn defended his track record, asserting that he votes with Trump 95% of the time. The dynamic is likely to intensify as both candidates prepare for the upcoming election.

About EPIC City

EPIC City is a planned development situated approximately 40 miles northeast of Dallas, intended to include various facilities, such as a mosque, homes, educational institutions, and businesses. The developers envisions the project as a community that promotes inclusivity across different cultures and faiths:

“We want to build an inclusive community, one in which people of every background, faith, and culture can live together in harmony.”

The project has already witnessed strong interest, with the first phase selling out quickly and additional investment opportunities being sought.

Ongoing Investigations and Community Response

The development has faced scrutiny not only from political figures but also from state regulatory bodies, leading to concerns over a variety of permits and investigations. CAIR has denounced these inquiries as unsubstantiated and politically charged, asserting that such actions could undermine Muslim civic engagement and religious freedom.