By R.J. Morales | TX3DNews
Over the past week, U.S. Rep. Keith Self has used his X account to warn that Sharia law threatens the United States and Western civilization. The posts come as Muslim and South Asian communities continue to grow across North Texas, particularly in cities such as Plano, Frisco, McKinney, and Allen.
The messages, a mix of videos and written posts, drew a response from his Democratic challenger, setting up an early flashpoint in the race for Texas’ 3rd Congressional District.
What Self Posted
In a June 23 post accompanying one of the videos, Self wrote:
“When people tell you who they are, believe them. Sharia seeks to dominate, infiltrate, and ultimately replace the values and institutions that define Western civilization. Not all cultures are equal. Defend the West. Ban Sharia.”
The video splices together clips from different speakers, countries and time periods before ending with the message:
“Ban SHARIA. Defend WESTERN CIVILIZATION. Preserve the REPUBLIC.”
None of the clips include dates or locations, making it impossible to independently determine when they were recorded or the circumstances surrounding each statement.
A Series of Similar Messages
The June 23 post was one of several.
“Radical Islamists have gone from the accommodation phase to the intimidation phase. The next phase is taking political power. Once they get political power, they are going to, under our very generous laws, enact legislation that goes against the U.S. Constitution.”
A day earlier, he framed the issue in religious terms.
“Sharia rejects a foundational American principle that all people are created equal. It’s time we realize not all cultures are created equal. Are we willing to defend our Christian civilization?”
Self also thanked former FBI agent John Guandolo, who has become a prominent anti-Islam activist since leaving the FBI. His former organization, Understanding the Threat, was designated a hate group by the Southern Poverty Law Center before closing in 2023.
The posts also reflect a broader effort Self has promoted since last December, when he and Rep. Chip Roy launched the Sharia Free America Caucus. According to the caucus announcement, it included 26 members from 17 states.
At the time, Self said Sharia “stands in direct opposition to our country and is totally anathema to the concept of individual freedom and our founding principles.”
A Challenger Responds
Self’s posts did not go unanswered.
Evan Hunt, the Democratic challenger seeking Self’s TX-03 seat, said the focus on Sharia is a manufactured controversy.
“This nonsense about the spread of Sharia law is the tired old politics of division and distraction. Our Constitution already prohibits religious law. Muslim Americans are not pushing for Sharia law. This is a made-up issue, but it’s as dangerous as it is silly.”
Hunt tied the posts to Self’s caucus and argued the effort ignores what voters in the district actually care about.
“Keith Self has taken his brand of Christian Nationalist anti-immigrant hate and is trying to copy and paste it to the rest of the country with his Anti-Sharia Caucus. Instead of focusing on helping Americans, they are focused on marginalizing and potentially deporting legal immigrants, and undermining the constitutional right to freedom of speech and freedom of religion.”
Hunt said the issue distracts from the challenges facing residents of the district.
“Worse, it does nothing to help with healthcare, public schools, and the affordability crisis in general. He needs to stop messing with America’s special sauce — our great American melting pot.”
Why It Matters Here
TX-03 has changed rapidly over the past two decades. Muslim and South Asian families are a growing part of the communities in Plano, Frisco, McKinney, Allen and surrounding areas, and they are among the constituents Self represents in Congress.
Questions surrounding Islam, immigration and religious diversity have surfaced repeatedly in local and congressional races across the district, including this month’s Frisco mayoral runoff. Self’s recent posts bring those issues back into focus as the 2026 campaign begins to take shape.
TX3DNews contacted Rep. Keith Self’s office for comment before publication but did not receive a response. If one is received, this story will be updated.
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