The US Department of Justice has launched a federal civil rights investigation into a planned Muslim-friendly housing development in Texas, according to Republican Senator John Cornyn.

Cornyn requested a federal investigation into the housing development, citing concerns about “religious discrimination” and “sharia law” in Texas. He announced in a post on X on Friday that attorney general Pam Bondi had notified him that an investigation was launched on 9 May.

“Attorney General Pam Bondi] notified me that [Department of Justice] is opening an investigation in response to my request into the proposed EPIC City development in North TX. Religious discrimination and Sharia Law have no home in Texas. Any violations of federal law must be swiftly prosecuted, and I know under [President Trump’s] administration, they will be.

The maelstrom around the proposed housing development did not start with Cornyn and may be part of a political campaign to win voters

Texas Governor Greg Abbott launched the initial salvo in February when he posted on X: “Sharia law is not allowed in Texas.” His post came shortly after Amy Mekelburg, a far-right agitator known for spreading anti-Muslim disinformation, falsely labelled the proposed development a “Sharia City”. Abbott amplified the message, characterising Muslim families building homes as a threat to be taken seriously.