Anti-Islam rhetoric takes center stage in Texas Republican primary

https://www.texastribune.org/2026/01/26/texas-republicans-sharia-law-anti-muslim-rhetoric/


As the GOP and its factions debate what constitutes American identity, opposition to Islam has become a key campaign pillar for some Texas Republicans in statewide races and beyond.



“Politicians have imported millions of Muslims into our country,” Reitz said in the ad. “The result? More terrorism, more crime and they even want their own illegal cities in Texas to impose Sharia law. Not on my watch.”
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Muslim civil rights groups say the negative messaging from Republicans around Islam is broader, more extreme and more frequent than in years past, and they worry about the cumulative effect of both heightened rhetoric and anti-Muslim policies.

“It’s definitely more coordinated than it was before,” said Sameeha Rizvi, the policy and advocacy coordinator for the Texas chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations. “We’re seeing it on a national and state level, and we’re seeing so-called influencer activists on the far right using this as a tool to further burn the flames of anti-Muslim rhetoric and hate.”


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In an interview with The Texas Tribune, Roy said he respects freedom of religion and has no problem with people who hold different beliefs but love America. The problem, he said, is when the practice of their religion becomes political — and he believes Islam to some extent is inherently political.

Roy and Rep. Keith Self, R-McKinney, formed the Sharia-Free America Caucus in December. Both are sponsors of a bill that would deny anyone who “adheres to Sharia law” entry into the U.S. and mandate the removal of non-citizen Sharia adherents.