The U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) has initiated a civil rights investigation into EPIC City, a proposed Muslim-centric development near Dallas.
This investigation follows a request from Texas Sen. John Cornyn (R), who expressed concerns that the development could potentially discriminate against Jewish and Christian residents.
Cornyn’s request, made in April 2024, was promptly addressed by U.S. Attorney General Pam Bondi, who confirmed that the DOJ would look into the matter.
EPIC City, a large, mixed-use development, is connected to the East Plano Islamic Center, one of the largest mosques in North Texas. Members of the mosque formed Community Capital Partners, a for-profit entity, to lead the project.
The development plans are ambitious, with more than 1,000 homes, a mosque, a K-12 faith-based school, clinics, elderly housing, a community college and retail space spread over 400 acres near Josephine, approximately 30 miles northeast of Dallas.
The Dallas Morning News reported that the development, named EPIC Ranches One and Two, is expected to cover 200 acres of the overall area.
The controversy around EPIC City began when Community Capital Partners made a statement suggesting that it would “limit sales to only persons we believe will contribute to the overall makeup of our community,” a position that Cornyn argued might violate the Fair Housing Act of 1968.
Cornyn’s concerns center on whether the development could discriminate against non-Muslim prospective residents, particularly Jewish and Christian individuals.
He has called for an investigation into whether the developers are in compliance with federal laws prohibiting discrimination based on religion, race, or national origin.
Furthermore, Cornyn has raised the issue of sharia law enforcement, questioning whether the developers might be violating state and federal prohibitions.
Sharia law, a moral code followed by Muslims, is often misunderstood, with varying interpretations across different Muslim communities.
The senator has urged federal investigators to ensure that the developers are not enforcing any form of sharia law in the development, an idea that has sparked debate.
Supporters of the mosque and development group, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), have strongly criticized Cornyn’s statements, accusing him of politically motivated harassment and discriminatory practices.
Despite these controversies, Community Capital Partners has stated that they are fully committed to following the Fair Housing Act and all other relevant state and federal laws.
Their legal representative, Attorney Dan Cogdell, has emphasized that the group has not violated any laws and has accused Gov. Greg Abbott (R) of spreading false claims.
Meanwhile, Cornyn’s call for federal oversight adds another layer to the ongoing investigation, which also involves multiple state agencies. These probes, initiated by Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton and other state bodies, have sparked considerable attention.
Abbott had previously stated that “a dozen” state agencies were investigating the project, with various probes already underway, according to DMN.
In addition to the DOJ’s investigation, there are also ongoing state-level investigations into the planned development and the East Plano Islamic Center’s involvement.
As this situation unfolds, Cornyn, who is seeking re-election in 2026, will continue to face criticism from both the political left and right.
His push for federal intervention in the case highlights ongoing tensions around religious and political disagreements in Texas and beyond.
