The U.S. Department of Justice will open an investigation into a controversial residential development near Dallas-Fort Worth, known as “EPIC City,” after calls from Sen. John Cornyn (R-TX) and mounting pressure from Texas state officials.
In a statement released Friday, Cornyn thanked Attorney General Pam Bondi and Assistant Attorney General for Civil Rights Harmeet Dhillon for agreeing to investigate the proposed community, which is being developed by the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC). The senator expressed concern that the development may be promoting or enabling the enforcement of Sharia law, which he claims could violate federal and state laws.
“Religious discrimination and Sharia Law have no place in the Lone Star State,” Cornyn wrote. “Any violations of federal law must be swiftly prosecuted, and I know under the Trump administration, they will be.”
The EPIC City development, which would span over 400 acres in the small town of Josephine, has drawn increasing attention in recent months. Planned amenities include more than 1,000 residential homes, schools, and a mosque. Its developers, Community Capital Partner (CCP) LP, describe it as a “vibrant and inclusive” community built on shared values — though not exclusively for Muslims.
Despite this framing, state leaders, including Gov. Greg Abbott, have voiced strong opposition. In February, Abbott tweeted, “Sharia law is not allowed in Texas,” referencing the project. In subsequent statements, the governor confirmed that all construction at the site has been halted pending multiple state investigations.
Dan Cogdell, a high-profile attorney representing EPIC City and a former legal defender of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton, has called the state’s scrutiny politically motivated and unfounded.
“This is nonsense,” Cogdell said in a statement. “There is no effort to impose Sharia law — that’s a dog whistle. What we are seeing is a campaign of hate speech and misinformation, and frankly, I’m ashamed of the falsehoods that Abbott’s office has been putting out.”
Legal experts note that the federal investigation may have little precedent. The U.S. Constitution guarantees religious freedom under the First Amendment, including the right to organize religious communities. Unless there is a credible accusation of rights violations or illegal governance, experts say it may be difficult to justify a federal inquiry into land use or the religious composition of a neighborhood.
Civil rights groups have already voiced concern about the optics and potential implications of the DOJ’s move. The American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU) released a statement over the weekend warning that the investigation could set a troubling precedent for the profiling of religious minorities under the guise of national security or legal compliance.
Local residents have expressed mixed reactions. Some support the development and see it as an opportunity to grow the area’s economy and diversity. Others have raised questions about zoning, traffic, and the cultural dynamics of a religion-centered neighborhood.
For now, construction remains paused, and both federal and state authorities are reportedly reviewing documents and permits related to EPIC City. The DOJ has not yet indicated a timeline for its investigation or what specific legal violations it is probing.
