Texas GOP Lawmaker Sparks Backlash Over 'Pakistan' Mall Comments

Congressman Brandon Gill's remarks about Dallas malls feeling 'like Pakistan' draw criticism for xenophobia and Islamophobia.

Published on Feb. 9, 2026

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Texas Congressman Brandon Gill is facing backlash after claiming that parts of Dallas feel 'like Pakistan' and expressing concerns about the 'Islamization' of the area. Gill's comments, made during an interview with a right-wing media outlet, have been condemned as xenophobic and Islamophobic. The remarks come amid a broader rise in anti-Muslim rhetoric in Texas politics.

Why it matters

Gill's comments reflect growing cultural and demographic anxieties among some conservatives in Texas, where the state's major cities have become increasingly diverse. His remarks highlight ongoing tensions around issues of immigration, religious freedom, and the changing face of communities across the state.

The details

In the interview, Gill said his constituents were 'desperately concerned about the Islamization of the Dallas area' and that when they go to local malls, 'it feels like you're in Pakistan, not Dallas, Texas.' He also referenced concerns about 'mosques popping up' near land that has been in families for generations. Gill's office did not respond to a request for comment from the local news outlet Chron.

  • Gill made the comments during a recent interview with the right-wing media outlet Real America's Voice.

The players

Brandon Gill

A Texas Republican congressman who made controversial comments about Dallas malls feeling 'like Pakistan.'.

Greg Abbott

The Republican governor of Texas who last year designated the Council of American Islamic Relations (CAIR) and Muslim Brotherhood as 'foreign terrorist organizations,' a move sharply criticized by CAIR.

John Cornyn

A Texas Republican senator who previously suggested, without evidence, that a mosque in Plano, Texas sought to establish a Muslim-only compound governed by Sharia law.

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The takeaway

Gill's comments reflect growing cultural and demographic anxieties among some conservatives in Texas, where the state's major cities have become increasingly diverse. His remarks highlight ongoing tensions around issues of immigration, religious freedom, and the changing face of communities across the state.