Islamist groups in Texas rake in $13M in taxpayer-funded grants amid Abbott’s battle against Sharia law



Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) has taken aggressive action this week against Sharia law, the Muslim Brotherhood, and the Council on American-Islamic Relations. Yet critics are demanding to know why, during his time in office, millions in taxpayer-funded grants have been allocated to alleged Islamist organizations based in Texas.

Abbott announced on Tuesday that he had designated the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR as foreign terrorist and transnational criminal organizations. The following day, Abbott urged local district attorneys to investigate potential Sharia "courts" operating in Texas and defying state and federal laws to push Islamic codes.

'Unlike the previous administration, recipients of grants will no longer be permitted to use federal funds to ... empower radical organizations with unseemly ties that don't serve the interest of the American people.'

Despite Abbott's recent actions, some have faulted the governor for allowing taxpayer dollars to be used to fund the uptick in Islamic mosques in Texas, citing a June report from the Middle East Forum. The article claimed Texas gave "over $13 million of federal and state monies to mosques and community groups aligned with Islamist movements such as Hamas, the Muslim Brotherhood, and Jamaat-e-Islami, as well as hostile foreign regimes."

Of the 18 organizations that received funds, a dozen were said to have "extremist links."

"While a few thousand dollars in the state government's data consists of the return of escheated funds, the vast majority of the millions spent appear to be the result of direct state grants, subsidy programs, and federal sub-awards managed by the Texas state government," the Middle East Forum wrote.

The Texas governor's office told Blaze News that the funding referenced in the Middle East Forum's report was not state tax dollars but rather federal funds distributed by the Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Emergency Management Agency's Nonprofit Security Grant Program.

As part of that program, since 2016, roughly $63 million in federal funds have passed through Texas to nonprofit organizations, including $55 million to churches and synagogues, and a smaller portion went to mosques, according to Abbott's office.

RELATED: Secret Sharia ‘courts’ in Texas may be quietly overriding state law — Abbott calls for investigation

Photo by RONALDO SCHEMIDT/AFP via Getty Images

The governor's office contended that organization-vetting for this DHS and FEMA grant program is performed by these federal agencies, not by the state.

Sam Westrop, the director of Islamist Watch and the author of the Middle East Forum report, disputed this claim, arguing that the state was responsible for screening these grant applications and had the authority to exclude applicants.

Westrop told Blaze News that "only a small number" of the $13 million came from the DHS' Nonprofit Security Grant Program.

"However, many of the grants we identified, while not all from DHS, were in fact paid for from federal funds; and are thus subawards," Westrop stated. "But by serving as the primary grantee, the Texas state government is required by the federal government to vet and assess risk. Subawards are discretionary, and the primary grantee may exclude a subawardee."

"So these grants may be financed by federal dollars, but the monies are distributed through and at the discretion of the Texas state government, much by the governor's office itself," Westrop added.

The Nonprofit Security Grant Program seeks to provide financial support to nonprofit organizations that are considered "high risk" of a terrorist attack. These nonprofits can include places of worship, educational facilities, and medical facilities, among other 501(c)(3) organizations. The funds are intended to support security enhancements, such as installing cameras, alarms, and fences. The grant can also be used toward security planning and training, as well as cybersecurity.

RELATED: No Sharia law in Texas: Abbott draws a hard line against radical Islam

Photo by Ilana Panich-Linsman for The Washington Post via Getty Images

According to FEMA, the State Administrative Agency in each state is "the only eligible applicant" for this grant and "responsible for handling the federal award." Therefore, churches and other places of worship seeking funds through the Nonprofit Security Grant Program are "subapplicants that must apply through the SAA in the state or territory where the applying facility is physically located." The nonprofits cannot apply directly to FEMA.

The applications are first "scored by the SAA in coordination with its state." Then the SAA submits "a prioritized list of [investment justifications] with all scores to FEMA."

FEMA notes that a facility's local SAA may have its own requirements to apply for the grant. Texas' SAA contact is the Homeland Security Grants Division under the Texas Office of the Governor.

These now-archived grant opportunities from Texas' eGrants website state that the "Office of the Governor will screen all applications to ensure that they meet the requirements included in the funding announcement." However, it notes that FEMA "makes final funding decisions."

While it remains disputed whether Texas could have blocked these grants from going to alleged Islamist organizations, FEMA has made it clear that the DHS, under Secretary Kristi Noem, has significantly increased the vetting at the federal level.

"Under Secretary Noem's leadership, FEMA conducted a critical evaluation of all grant programs and recipients to root out waste, fraud, and abuse and deliver accountability for the American taxpayer," a FEMA spokesperson told Blaze News. "For Fiscal Year 2025 grant awards, DHS and FEMA worked together to vet grant recipients and ensure that every dollar spent strengthens the nation's resilience."

"Unlike the previous administration, recipients of grants will no longer be permitted to use federal funds to house illegal immigrants at luxury hotels, fund climate change pet projects, or empower radical organizations with unseemly ties that don't serve the interest of the American people," the spokesperson added.

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Texas and Trump team take down over 30 illegal alien truck drivers in 1 day — California licenses BUSTED



With increased national focus on the trucking industry, federal and state authorities are stepping up efforts to crack down on illegal truck drivers to address concerns about road safety and national security.

A one-day operation last week in Texas led to the apprehension of 31 illegal alien truck drivers, according to Republican Governor Greg Abbott's office.

'When illegal immigrants break the law and illegally drive on our roads, they endanger the lives of countless Texans and Americans.'

The joint commercial vehicle enforcement operation on November 11 in Wheeler County along I-40 involved multiple law enforcement agencies, including the Texas Department of Public Safety, Immigration and Customs Enforcement, Homeland Security Investigations, and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the governor's office reported on Wednesday.

Law enforcement officers inspected 105 vehicles as part of an effort to identify suspicious commercial driver's licenses. DPS troopers referred 31 drivers to ICE after they were unable to verify their lawful presence in the U.S., despite presenting CDLs.

"It was determined that all 31 individuals were in the country illegally," the governor's office reported, noting that most of the licenses were issued by California, with none issued in Texas.

"Millions of Texans drive on our highways, roads, and streets every day," Abbott stated. "When illegal immigrants break the law and illegally drive on our roads, they endanger the lives of countless Texans and Americans."

RELATED: Trump DOT hammers Gov. Shapiro, threatens to pull millions after state hands CDL to 'suspected terrorist' illegal alien trucker

Photo by Mario Tama/Getty Images

"This joint state and federal operation along one of the nation's longest transcontinental highways removed illegal drivers and unsafe vehicles from Texas roads," Abbott continued. "While liberal states like California issue licenses to illegal immigrants and risk the lives of Americans, Texas will work with our federal partners to maintain safe roads and apprehend illegal immigrants to protect our communities."

Meanwhile, in Oklahoma, Gov. Kevin Stitt (R) has similarly launched efforts to remove illegal immigrant truckers from the roads.

RELATED: Oklahoma ICE sting busts 34 illegal alien truck drivers, others with rap sheets

Photo by George Rose/Getty Images

He provided an update in early November about Operation Guardian, which has also conducted enforcement along the I-40 corridor, noting that it has already resulted in the arrest of over 100 illegal alien truck drivers.

"For the second time in just the past month, the state of Oklahoma and ICE have banded together to bolster public safety along Oklahoma's highways, identifying and apprehending illegal aliens who are in the country illegally and have been recklessly issued a commercial driver's license by states like California, Illinois, and New Jersey," said Marcos Charles, the executive associate director for ICE's Enforcement and Removal Operations. "Many of the illegal aliens arrested behind the wheel of an 80,000-pound tractor trailer can't even read basic English, endangering everyone they encounter on the roads."

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Secret Sharia ‘courts’ in Texas may be quietly overriding state law — Abbott calls for investigation



Texas Gov. Greg Abbott (R) calls for an investigation into "certain entities" that may be defying state and federal laws to push Islamic codes, according to a statement first obtained by "The Glenn Beck Program."

Abbott issued a proclamation on Tuesday that designated the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations as foreign terrorist and transnational criminal organizations. As a result of this declaration, individuals who promote or aid their criminal activities could face heightened penalties, and the groups' affiliates are banned from acquiring land in Texas.

CAIR condemned Abbott's action, calling it "defamatory and lawless," in a statement emailed to Blaze News.

'The Constitution's religious protections provide no authority for religious courts to skirt state and federal laws simply by donning robes and pronouncing positions inconsistent with western civilization.'

On Wednesday, Abbott continued his efforts to prevent Sharia law from taking hold in Texas.

"It has come to my attention that certain entities in Texas — including in Collin and Dallas Counties — may be masquerading as legal 'courts' staffed with 'judges' issuing orders that purportedly carry the authority to bind individuals to Islamic codes, thereby pre-empting state and federal laws," Abbott said in a statement provided to Blaze Media co-founder Glenn Beck.

"The Constitution's religious protections provide no authority for religious courts to skirt state and federal laws simply by donning robes and pronouncing positions inconsistent with western civilization," the statement continued. "I urge you, therefore, to investigate efforts by entities purporting to illegally enforce Sharia law in Texas. Legal disputes in Texas must be decided based on American law rooted in the fundamental principles of American due process, not according to Sharia law dispensed in modern day star chambers."

RELATED: No Sharia law in Texas: Abbott draws a hard line against radical Islam

Photo by Mohammed Elshamy/Anadolu Agency/Getty Images

Beck noted that Abbott's investigation request would require cooperation between the Texas Department of Public Safety and the Attorney General's Office.

"The letter is going to be sent out later today. But this is an exclusive report from the governor. I applaud Governor Abbott for actually doing this," Beck said.

RELATED: Islamic EPIC City’s stealth rebrand is scarier than you think

KHALIL MAZRAAWI/AFP via Getty Images

Abbott sent the letter to North Texas District Attorneys and Sheriffs, the Attorney General of Texas, and the Texas DPS.

“At the outset, the First Amendment’s protection of religious freedom provides wide berth for religious institutions to order their own affairs under the ‘church autonomy’ doctrine,” the letter read. “It is different entirely, however, for religious groups to set up courts purporting to replace actual courts of law to evade neutral and generally applicable laws.”

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Texas National Guard deployed to Chicago amid increasing left-wing violence



The Trump administration is deploying 400 troops from the Texas National Guard to Chicago amid escalating violence over Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations in the city. The move comes on the heels of an attack on ICE officers, allegedly by left-wing activists, and weeks of rolling protests and riots around ICE detention facilities in and around the city.

'Violent incidents ... are impeding the execution of the laws of the United States.'

The unrest has increased in response to Operation Midway Blitz, an immigration enforcement operation targeting illegal aliens in Chicago. The city has become a hotbed for illegal immigration due in large part to its status as a sanctuary city, meaning that law enforcement is not permitted to cooperate with federal personnel and city resources are open to illegal aliens.

In a memo on Sunday, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced he was activating the Texas National Guard, writing, “Violent incidents, as well as the credible threat of continued violence are impeding the execution of the laws of the United States.”

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott, a Republican, said that he “fully authorized the President to call up 400 members of the Texas National Guard to ensure safety for federal officers.”

Illinois Gov. JB Pritzker, a Democrat, called the deployment "Trump's invasion” in a post on X and said, “Every American must speak up and help stop this madness.” He lamented the fact that “no officials from the federal government called me directly to discuss or coordinate.”

Pritzker signed a law in 2019 banning Illinois law enforcement from cooperating with ICE. He has stated that “the state of Illinois will not coordinate with ICE on federal immigration enforcement.”

RELATED: Trump reportedly sends 300 National Guard members to Portland from California — and Democrats are seething

Photo by Spencer Platt / Contributor Via Getty Images

In a press release, the Department of Homeland Security announced that special operations teams have been deployed to Chicago following attacks on federal law enforcement on Saturday. The attacks occurred as Border Patrol officers were carrying out operations in Chicago.

According to DHS, Border Patrol vehicles were boxed in and then rammed by left-wing “domestic terrorists.” One of the alleged assailants, Marimar Martinez, “was armed with a semi-automatic weapon and has a history of doxxing federal agents.”

CBP agents fired shots in self-defense, hitting Martinez, who has been discharged from a local hospital and is now in FBI custody, the press release said. Anthony Ian Santos Ruiz, suspected of driving another vehicle "involved in the ramming," has also been arrested.

Crowds “began throwing smoke, gas, rocks, and bottles at DHS law enforcement” as the scene became increasingly violent. DHS reported that Pritzker refused “to allow local police to help secure the scene.”

Another ICE vehicle suffered a flat tire and was “mobbed by domestic terrorists, forcing law enforcement to abandon the vehicle for their own safety.” DHS added that several CBP officers have been hospitalized with various injuries.

In addressing the situation, Assistant DHS Secretary Tricia McLaughlin said, “We will not allow domestic terrorists to attack our law enforcement. If you lay a hand on law enforcement, you will be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law.”

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'Texas has plenty of bullets to shoot': Abbott tells Glenn Beck new maps will pass, laughs off Newsom's threat



Texas House Democrats appear desperate to spin their imminent return to the Lone Star State as a victory march. It's clear, however, that their weeks-long effort to thwart the will of the people and to prevent Republicans from passing new congressional lines was in vain.

Gov. Greg Abbott (R-Texas) stressed to Blaze Media co-founder Glenn Beck on Wednesday that Republicans will ultimately prevail.

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Quick background

Texas Democrats fled to Illinois and other blue states earlier this month to block the passage of a redistricting plan that would help the GOP gain five more congressional pickup opportunities ahead of the midterm elections.

Following the Democrat lawmakers' departure, Texas House Speaker Dustin Burrows (R) signed arrest warrants for the absentee legislators, Abbott ordered their arrests by the Texas Department of Public Safety, and the FBI agreed to collaborate on the hunt.

Meanwhile, Attorney General Ken Paxton opened investigations into a George Soros-funded political action committee and a group organized by failed gubernatorial candidate Beto O'Rourke, which are both suspected of helping fund the Democrats' abrupt exit.

Paxton also readied a court request to remove the absentee legislators from office.

In the face of significant heat from Texas and the prospect of a chilly winter in exile, the absentee legislators have reportedly decided to return.

Trying to save face, Texas House Democrats said in a release that they have "killed this corrupt special session on behalf of Texas families — exactly what we said we'd do when we left the state."

Gov. Abbott announced on Tuesday, however, that he will immediately call another special session to get the matter resolved — much simpler after the Texas Senate voted 19-2 on Tuesday to pass the new congressional lines.

'They're going to pass'

Abbott suggested to Beck that Democrats realized after his Tuesday announcement of another special session that "they were going to have to take up permanent residency in Illinois or California or wherever."

'There's so many things wrong with that.'

"So the word on the street and the word in the news is that they are coming back, and they will be part of the special session that begins either on Friday of this week or Saturday of this week," said the governor. "But again, we'll see when and if they show up."

Abbott noted that regardless of whether the Democratic legislators show up to work, "these congressional district maps — they're going to pass as well as the other items on the agenda. They are going to pass."

RELATED: The cold civil war is real — and only one side is fighting to win

Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images

When asked about whether Republicans have enough votes in the state House to pass the maps, the governor noted that all that is needed is a majority, and the GOP controls nearly two-thirds of the chamber.

Newsom finger-waves at a gunfight

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) indirectly threatened Abbott in a Monday letter to President Donald Trump, noting that if Texas Republicans do not surrender on this issue, he "will be forced to lead an effort to redraw the maps in California to offset the rigging of maps in red states."

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When asked to respond to Newsom, Abbott said, "Oh, my God," then broke out into laughter.

RELATED: Democrats ‘defend democracy’ by ditching it

Photo (left): Genaro Molina/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images; Photo (right): Andrew Harnik/Getty Images

"There's so many things wrong with that," said the governor. "In Texas, for us to redraw congressional lines and make sure that people in Texas are going to have the ability to vote for the Republican candidate of their choice in these congressional seats, all it requires is for the governor to call a special session on it and for a majority of the Texas House and Senate to vote on it."

Abbott noted that for redistricting California, Democrats must alternatively "go through this complex constitutional process."

In addition to suggesting Newsom's threat is easier said than done, Abbott noted it's virtually meaningless given how gerrymandered California — like Illinois, New York, and Massachusetts — is in the first place.

"[Newsom] is kind of like someone who shows up to a gunfight but forgot to bring the bullets because he doesn't have any bullets to shoot in this fight," said Abbott. "Whereas Texas has plenty of bullets to shoot — to make sure that we will maintain a congressional district in Texas that's going to be more Republican, more representative of the values and votes in our state."

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Paxton unleashes fury on Soros-backed group allegedly funding runaway Texas Democrats



Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton (R) announced this week action against the groups allegedly responsible for assisting Texas state House Democrats who fled the state to avoid a redistricting vote.

On Thursday, Paxton's office issued a press release declaring that it had opened another investigation, this time into a George Soros-funded political action committee that allegedly funded the Democrats' abrupt exit.

'The Governor fully supports using all necessary tools to discover potential legal violations connected to their refusal to appear for a quorum, conduct business, and cast votes.'

Texas Majority PAC, founded in December 2022 by campaign staffers of former Rep. Beto O-Rourke (D-Texas), was accused of "attempting to subvert the will of Texas voters" by "play[ing] a coordinating role in assisting with illegal fundraising and potentially the bribery of Texas House members."

Paxton's office described TMP as an "extremist group" with "a large, radical donor base."

"If Texas lawmakers are bowing to the Soros Slush Fund rather than the will of the voters, Texans deserve to know. Getting financial payouts under the table to abandon your legislative duties is bribery," Paxton said. "Texas Majority PAC's actions seem to indicate that it may be using its Soros-funded resources to break the law and fund the illegal abandonment of public office. If that's the case as determined by this investigation, there will be a heavy price to pay."

Earlier this week, Paxton opened an investigation into O'Rourke's Powered by People, accusing the organization of similar alleged "unlawful activity" regarding the House Democrats.

RELATED: Texas AG lays out 3 options for cowardly Democrats who fled redistricting vote

Former U.S. Rep. Beto O'Rourke (D-Texas). SAUL LOEB/AFP via Getty Images

According to Paxton's office, Powered by People potentially operated "an illegal financial influence scheme to bribe runaway Democrats who fled Texas to break quorum."

The office's press release on the matter claimed that the group may have "violated bribery laws," as well as laws "governing campaign or officeholder contributions and expenditures, coercion of a public servant, and abuse of office."

Paxton issued a request to examine both TMP and Powered by People, which requires the groups to provide his office with documents related to the investigations.

O'Rourke responded to Paxton's probe into Powered by People in a post on social media, stating, "The guy impeached for bribery is going after the folks trying to stop the theft of five Congressional seats."

He added, "Let's stop these thugs before they steal our country."

Paxton was acquitted of all 16 articles of impeachment in 2023.

RELATED: Greg Abbott threatens to ARREST rogue Texas Democrats

Texas Gov. Greg Abbott. Photo by Brandon Bell/Getty Images

Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) has also taken a firm stance against the Democratic House members, advocating for the potential arrest of absentee representatives and asking the state's supreme court to remove those who have abandoned their offices.

The governor's press secretary, Andrew Mahaleris, told Blaze News, "Governor Abbott directed the Texas Rangers to investigate delinquent Texas House Democrats on potential violations of Texas law, including bribery. The Governor fully supports using all necessary tools to discover potential legal violations connected to their refusal to appear for a quorum, conduct business, and cast votes."

Neither TMP nor Powered by People responded to a request for comment.

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Blue-State Governors Harbor Texas Fugitives To Help Democrats Get Control Of Congress

If Abbott’s threat of potentially prosecuting those who aid fugitive Democrats is ignored, then they could have the financial resources to stay away for many months.

Gov. Abbott threatens to remove from office 'derelict' Democrats who abdicated their duties



Texas House Democrats fled the Lone Star State for the District of Columbia in July 2021, denying Republicans a quorum — the Texas Constitution requires two-thirds of the state House to be present to conduct legislative business — and thereby temporarily preventing the passage of legislation that would improve election integrity.

This strategic play, celebrated by then-Vice President Kamala Harris and other radicals, was not the first time state Democrats had abdicated their duties in order to thwart the execution of the people's will. Texas Democrats also fled to New Mexico in 2003 in order to prevent a vote on redrawing congressional districts in Republicans' favor.

Republican Governor Greg Abbott suggested in response to the 2021 holdout, which lasted 38 days, that Democrats could be arrested. Texas House Speaker Dade Phelan signed 52 arrest warrants for the absentee lawmakers, but no one was ultimately held to account.

'Democrats in the Texas House who try and run away like cowards should be found, arrested, and brought back to the Capitol immediately.'

Years after confirming that they could torpedo the democratic process without consequence, Texas House Democrats have once again fled the state — this time to prevent their GOP colleagues from advancing new congressional maps that would give Republicans five more pickup opportunities ahead of the midterm elections.

Abbott indicated on Sunday that unless the "derelict Democrat House members" return to Texas and show up when the House reconvenes at 3:00 p.m. on Monday, they will be removed from office.

"Real Texans do not run from a fight. But that's exactly what most of the Texas House Democrats just did," wrote Abbott. "Rather than doing their job and voting on urgent legislation affecting the lives of all Texas, they have fled Texas to deprive the House of the quorum necessary to meet and conduct business."

RELATED: Democrat offers bizarre spin on imploding support for his party — and he's getting amazing backlash

Texas House Democrats abandoning their posts on Sunday. Photo by Scott Olson/Getty Images

The governor indicated that the exodus amounts to "an abandonment or forfeiture of an elected state office."

"This truancy ends now," said Abbott.

The governor indicated that he will invoke Texas Attorney General Opinion No. KP-0382.

The opinion, released by Attorney General Ken Paxton on Aug. 24, 2021, states that "whether a specific legislator abandoned his or her office such that a vacancy occurred will be a fact question for a court" and that "through a quo warranto action, a district court may determine that a legislator has forfeited his or her office due to abandonment and can remove the legislator from office, thereby creating a vacancy."

In addition to potentially risking their offices, Abbott said that Texas House Democrats may have also committed felonies, as many of the absentee lawmakers "are soliciting funds to evade the fines they will incur under House rules," which might be in violation of the Lone Star State's bribery laws.

The governor was referring to the $500-per-day fine that Republicans implemented in 2023 to deal with legislators who intentionally broke quorum.

"It seems to me that the only way some of the fleeing Democrats can avoid bribery charges is not to break quorum," Abbott tweeted. "It seems that would eliminate any potential quid pro quo connected to any payment they received to deny a quorum and skip a vote."

Paxton minced no words, writing, "Democrats in the Texas House who try and run away like cowards should be found, arrested, and brought back to the Capitol immediately."

"We should use every tool at our disposal to hunt down those who think they are above the law," added the Texas attorney general.

RELATED: Gov. Gavin Newsom threatens to redistrict California after Texas GOP drops new district map proposal

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Photo by Jahi Chikwendiu/The Washington Post via Getty Images

The Texas Supreme Court ruled in August 2021 that Texas House Democrats who intentionally break quorum can be arrested and dragged into the state legislature.

Meanwhile, radicals farther afield have celebrated the Democrats' anti-democratic gambit.

'The DNC is proud to support these legislators in standing up and showing real leadership.'

U.S. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.), whose approval rating a recent YouGov poll indicated was 25%, expressed support for the Texas Democrats over the weekend, stating, "It's an all-hands-on-deck moment."

California Gov. Gavin Newsom (D) suggested that the absentee lawmakers' efforts to undermine the democratic process "is what fighting for our democracy looks like."

Democratic National Committee Chairman Ken Martin said in a statement that "the DNC is proud to support these legislators in standing up and showing real leadership. We will fight alongside them to stop this anti-democratic assault."

State Rep. James Talarico (D), fresh off suggesting that there was no "historical, theological, biblical basis" for Christians to oppose abortion, said the purpose of the Democratic exodus was to "stop Trump's redistricting power grab."

Talarico's fellow obstructionists suggested their departure was in the interest of democracy. State Rep. Mary Ann Perez, for instance, said that "by breaking quorum, we are standing up for democratic values."

Dozens of absentee lawmakers gathered in Chicago, where they were celebrated by Democratic Gov. J.B. Pritzker. Others traveled to Massachusetts and New York.

"Texas Democrats are once again neglecting their responsibility to serve the people of the Lone Star State by engaging in absurd theatrics intended to mislead the public into believing they are upholding their values," Mason Di Palma, communications director for the Republican State Leadership Committee, said in a statement to Blaze News. "By traveling to Illinois and New York, two of the most partisanly gerrymandered Democrat-controlled states in the country, these stunts are rooted in nonsense and illustrate how disconnected today's Democratic Party is from the needs of the American people."

"Texas Democrats need to return home immediately, stop wasting taxpayer money on their media tour, and work collaboratively with Republicans in Austin to advance the future of Texas," added Di Palma.

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Islamic city planned for Texas hires ex-Paxton attorney to defuse Sharia law concerns



Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) in late March directed the Texas Rangers, the Texas State Securities Board, and the Texas Workforce Commission to launch investigations into the East Plano Islamic Center concerning its plans to develop a Muslim-centric city on 402 acres near Josephine, roughly 40 miles outside Dallas.

The development would reportedly feature a mosque, a K-12 faith-based school, an outreach center, commercial developments, sports facilities, and 1,000 homes, townhomes, and apartments.

'There definitely could be an argument that there's conflict because I'm still being represented by him and he's representing clients that we are investigating.'

The proposed city has ignited fears within the surrounding community that it will implement Sharia law and potentially ultimately lead to a "no-go zone."

State investigations

Abbott has repeatedly expressed concerns about the planned community.

In February, Abbott stated in a post on social media, "To be clear, Sharia law is not allowed in Texas. Nor are Sharia cities. Nor are 'no go zones' which this project seems to imply."

"Bottom line. The project as proposed in the video is not allowed in Texas," the governor concluded, referring to EPIC's promotional clip advertising the plans.

The Texas Funeral Service Commission sent a cease-and-desist letter to EPIC in March, demanding that it "immediately stop all illegal funeral service operations."

According to Abbott, EPIC had been operating a funeral home without an established license in violation of state law.

Abbott announced on April 1 that EPIC "may not begin construction" on its community, stating that the Texas Commission on Environmental Quality discovered it had failed to obtain required "authorizations or permits."

The governor insisted that EPIC City "has serious legal issues" and announced that a dozen state agencies are looking into the proposed community.

The governor tasked the Texas Rangers with investigating EPIC "for potential criminal activities." The Texas Workforce Commission is probing "potential discrimination in violation of the Texas Fair Housing Act." The Texas State Securities Board is looking into any "potential financial harm to Texans." Additionally, state Attorney General Ken Paxton is examining "potential violations of Texas consumer protection laws."

"Texas vigorously safeguards the freedoms granted to American citizens in the U.S. Constitution, including the freedom of religion," Abbott said. "To that end, the Texas Workforce Commission opened an investigation into the group behind the proposed EPIC compound who are potentially breaking state fair housing laws by refusing to sell or rent housing to certain groups based on religion or other protected traits."

Texans share concerns

The RAIR Foundation USA was among the first to begin sounding the alarm about EPIC and its proposed city.

Amy Mek, the founder and editor in chief of the RAIR Foundation, warned that the project is not just "a housing development."

"It's the expansion of a Sharia-controlled society, starting with the radical school already operating at the EPIC Mosque in Plano, Texas," Mek wrote. "Now, EPIC is scaling up — EPIC City will operate with no city oversight, no state-controlled curriculum, and no accountability to American laws."

'No one associated with EPIC … follows Sharia law or is in favor of Sharia law.'

Many residents in Blue Ridge, a city roughly 20 miles away from Josephine, voiced their concerns about the proposed development during a recent city council meeting.

Douglas Deaton, a former police lieutenant in Plano, stated that a Sharia law enclave existed in Texas long before EPIC proposed its city plans.

"There seems to be a general misunderstanding that we're talking about a plan to build an Islamic, Sharia-friendly community. The EPIC neighborhood already exists in Plano. It's been there for nearly 12 years. With 74 residential properties, a massive mosque, schools, a medical clinic, and multiple businesses," he told the city council. "You have to be a member of their mosque to live there."

"This is not a matter of radicals hiding in plain sight; they're not hiding. They've been open about their beliefs and their intent," Deaton added.

On Wednesday, Paxton spoke with Blaze Media co-founder Glenn Beck about the governor's actions against EPIC, revealing interesting new details about the controversy.

"We're not going to sacrifice [our constitution] for Sharia law. It's just not going to happen in Texas," Paxton told Beck. "At the same time, we want to be cognizant that people have a right to have their own religion, and we respect that."

Paxton explained that the community cannot discriminate against potential residents based on religion, noting that doing so would violate housing laws.

He stated that he recently learned that the attorney representing EPIC City's developers, Dan Cogdell, is the same lawyer who previously defended him against impeachment. Paxton was acquitted of all charges in 2023.

The AG called it "a little concerning" that he was not made aware of that fact sooner.

"There definitely could be an argument that there's conflict because I'm still being represented by him and he's representing clients that we are investigating," Paxton told Beck.

EPIC responds

EPIC has denied claims that its proposed community will disregard state and federal laws to implement Sharia law.

Cogdell accused Abbott of spreading lies about the planned city, claiming that the project is "the victim of racial profiling."

"These aren't foreign adversaries. These are Texans. These are Americans. These are United States citizens," Cogdell told KTVT last week. "No one associated with EPIC, no one associated with that community follows Sharia law or is in favor of Sharia law."

Cogdell had a message for Abbott.

"Quit tweeting lies, false information, and nonsense. Because my clients right now, what they are doing is they are suffering from essentially gubernatorial hate speech," he stated.

Cogdell reportedly told KTVK that his clients have received "dozens of death threats." As a result, the developers were "too scared to go on camera," according to the news outlet.

When reached for comment, the governor's office referred KTVK to previously released statements.

Beck was offered an opportunity to speak with the project's developer on Thursday, only to discover that Cogdell had been tapped to talk on their behalf. Upon realizing this, Beck canceled, insisting that he wanted a candid conversation with the developer, not the attorney. The developer signaled interest in rescheduling for next week.

During Thursday's radio show, Beck stated, "I got an email from somebody who said, 'You know, you should talk to the developer directly.'"

The email read, "Given the amount of misinformation circulating, it might be beneficial to speak directly with the landowner developer to ensure accuracy."

"So I said yes to that on the program," Beck stated. "Then I find out that it's the lawyer. Well, what happened to the directly to the landowner developer? So they said he'll be prepared for our conversation sometime next week."

"I don't have anything bad to say about the developer if it's all on the up and up," he added. "It's just, there's some things about this, the people that are engaged in it, that are a little disturbing."

The developer did not respond to a request for comment from Blaze News.

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Oklahoma removes 450,000 from voter rolls as part of election integrity efforts



Oklahoma Governor Kevin Stitt (R) announced Wednesday that the state has removed nearly half a million ineligible voters from its voter registration list.

According to the state, since 2021, 453,000 individuals — including 194,962 inactive voters, 143,682 who moved out-of-state, 97,065 deceased voters, 14,993 with duplicate registrations, and 5,607 felons — have been purged from its rolls.

'Only U.S. citizens who are residents of Oklahoma may register to vote in our state.'

The update was provided by the governor and state election officials as a part of their "ongoing efforts to maintain Oklahoma's status as a national leader in election integrity," according to a recent press release that noted "routine voter list maintenance" is required by law.

Stitt stated, "Voting is our most sacred duty as Americans— and every Oklahoman wants to know their vote is securely cast and properly counted."

"The State Election Board and the Secretary of State's office continue to go above and beyond in their responsibility to ensure only eligible Oklahomans can vote in our elections. Their progress reassures me we will continue to lead the nation in election integrity efforts," the governor added.

Secretary of State Josh Cockroft said that the collaborative efforts between the governor's office, the State Election Board, and lawmakers have ensured that "Oklahoma has fortified our electoral process."

"We've aggressively pursued policies to ensure voting is secure and accurate, and we're innovating to protect our elections from emerging technology like AI. In Oklahoma, every eligible citizen will have their vote counted and their voice heard," Cockroft stated.

In a recent post on X, Stitt wrote, "You may have heard about 'ballot harvesting' in other states. That doesn't happen in Oklahoma."

"Only U.S. citizens who are residents of Oklahoma may register to vote in our state," he continued. "And Oklahoma state law explicitly prohibits non-citizens from accessing voter registration services."

Last month, Texas Governor Greg Abbott (R) made a similar announcement, noting that his state had removed more than one million ineligible voters from its rolls since 2021, Blaze News reported. Abbott attributed that sweeping clean-up to Senate Bill 1, which created uniform voting hours across Texas and banned drive-through voting and unsolicited applications for mail-in ballots.

Abbott called SB 1 the "strongest election laws in the nation to protect the right to vote and to crack down on illegal voting."

"These reforms have led to the removal of over one million ineligible people from our voter rolls in the last three years, including noncitizens, deceased voters, and people who moved to another state," Abbott remarked.

According to the governor's office, more than 6,500 of the one million individuals removed from the voter rolls were noncitizens. Additionally, 1,930 of them have reportedly previously voted in an election. Those instances of noncitizens voting were referred to the Attorney General's Office for an investigation.

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