Texas Republicans Establish Caucus Focused on Defending Western Values Against Islamic Law

In a significant development on Capitol Hill, two Texas Republicans have established a new congressional caucus aimed at what they describe as protecting the United States from religious law they believe threatens constitutional values.

Representatives Keith Self and Chip Roy announced the formation of the “Sharia Free America Caucus,” marking a new conservative effort focused on Islamic religious codes in American society. The initiative has already garnered support in the Senate from Alabama Republican Tommy Tuberville.

“Anytime you go to a fight, you bring as many friends with you as you can. I’m a military guy,” Self explained in an exclusive interview. “So what we need to do is build this caucus now so that we can start educating the American people to the dangers of Sharia in the United States.”

Self was explicit about his position, stating that Sharia is “fundamentally incompatible with the U.S. Constitution.” His colleague Roy echoed similar sentiments, expressing concern about what he sees as a growing domestic threat.

“America is facing a threat that directly attacks our Constitution and our Western values: the spread of Sharia law,” Roy said in a statement. “From Texas to every state in this constitutional republic, instances of Sharia adherents masquerading as ‘refugees’ — and in many cases, sleeper cells connected to terrorist organizations — are threatening the American way of life.”

The caucus plans to advance several legislative initiatives, including a proposed ban on foreign nationals who “adhere to Sharia” from entering the United States. Another measure would designate the Muslim Brotherhood as a terrorist organization, aligning with previous calls from conservative lawmakers and some national security experts who have expressed concerns about the group’s influence.

Sharia broadly refers to a code of ethics and conduct followed by observant Muslims in their daily lives. It encompasses moral, religious, and legal guidance derived from Islamic texts. Sharia law more specifically refers to legal systems based on Islamic principles implemented in some Muslim-majority nations.

In its strictest interpretations, as seen in territories once controlled by ISIS, violations of Sharia could result in severe punishments, including capital punishment for offenses like blasphemy. However, experts note significant variations in how Sharia is interpreted and applied across different countries and communities.

Constitutional scholars emphasize that the First Amendment’s protections for religious freedom and separation of church and state effectively prevent any religious law, including Sharia, from being implemented at any governmental level in the United States. American courts operate exclusively under secular law, with religious principles having no binding legal authority.

The formation of this caucus comes amid ongoing cultural and political tensions in the United States regarding immigration, religion, and national identity. It also reflects similar debates occurring internationally, particularly in European countries like the United Kingdom and France, where questions about integration of Muslim communities have become politically charged issues.

While largely symbolic in nature, the creation of this caucus represents another front in America’s intensifying culture wars, particularly as immigration and religious freedom continue to be contentious political topics. Critics of such initiatives often argue they risk stigmatizing American Muslims, while supporters maintain they’re defending constitutional principles.

The development occurs as the incoming administration has signaled plans to implement stricter immigration policies and heightened national security measures, potentially creating a more receptive political environment for the caucus’s legislative goals in the new congressional session.

As the caucus begins its work, it will likely face significant constitutional scrutiny and opposition from civil liberties organizations concerned about religious freedom protections for all Americans, regardless of faith tradition.