Top Muslim GOP cop is attacked by his own party with vile 'Pakistanify' slur

Published: 00:08, 14 August 2026 | Updated: 00:17, 14 August 2026 A Republican police chief in Texas is facing vile racist remarks from members of his own party who accused him of trying to 'Pakistanify' law enforcement. Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Constable Ali Sheikhani was targeted by Amy Mekelburg, founder of conservative activist organization Rise Align Ignite Reclaim (RAIR) Foundation USA on Tuesday. She posted a video montage showing of the Pakistani-American elected official who she claims represents 'another Republican Party infiltration.' 'WARNING TEXAS - YOUR LAW ENFORCEMENT HAS BEEN PAKISTANIFIED,' Mekelburg posted, before describing Sheikhani as an 'Islamic Pakistani operative.' 'A wealthy Pakistani is running a Texas police station, courting foreign officials from a terrorism hub - all under a Republican ballot,' she claimed, sharing a photo of Sheikhani meeting with Pakistani dignitaries. 'The takeover doesn't need tanks,' Mekelburg continued. 'It arrives in Rolls-Royces, plazas and constable badges.' Her comments were quickly spread across the Lone Star state, with Bo French, the Republican nominee for the Texas Railroad Commission, sharing the video to his followers. 'The level of third-worldery in this video is off the charts,' he wrote.  Fort Bend County Precinct 3 Constable Ali Sheikhani has faced vile remarks from members of his own party, who are accusing him of trying to 'Pakistanify' law enforcement He was first targeted by Amy Mekelburg, founder of conservative activist organization, RAIR (Rise Align Ignite Reclaim) Foundation USA on Tuesday She shared a video of him at his job and visiting his home country as she declared that law enforcement 'has been Pakistanified' When asked about the video attacking his Pakistani heritage and Muslim faith, Sheikhani decided not to engage in its rhetoric. 'It's unfortunate they felt the need to put that video out,' he told Chron.  'It's not actually accurate but I maintain the respect for them, so I'm just not gonna say anything else.' When he was then asked what he thought French meant by describing the video as 'third-worldery,' Sheikhani insisted he didn't know. 'He can say whatever he can say,' the Republican replied. 'It's freedom of speech.'  Sheikhani, who started out as a businessman in Fort Bend owning a series of vape shops, joined the third precinct in 2018 and launched his campaign for commissioner in 2023. He then defeated Democratic incumbent Constable Nabil Shike in November 2024, receiving just over 52 percent of the vote in a district with a large South Asian population. Mekelburg's message was quickly spread by Bo French, the Republican nominee for the Texas Railroad Commission He claimed the video of Sheikhani showed 'third-worldery' in a post on X Sheikhani said he decided to run as a Republican in that election because he was inspired by a former Fort Bend County Sheriff and a former Precinct 4 Constable. 'I always respected the ex-sheriff and ex-constable and things that Republicans valued, like doing things by the book, respecting religions, color,' he told Chron.  'That's why I decided to go to the Republican side.' His campaign website then touted his 'strong background in law enforcement [and] business' as well as his 'passion for serving the public.' 'Ali Sheikhani is dedicated to improving the safety and well-being of the residents and businesses in the precinct,' it reads. 'He has a proven track record of leadership and has worked with diverse communities to address their concerns and needs.  'As constable, Ali will bring a fresh perspective and innovative ideas to the role, with a focus on transparency, accountability and efficient service delivery.'  The backlash he is now facing comes amid a broader fight over Islam inside the Texas Republican Party. At the state GOP convention in Houston in June, 'Don't Sharia Our Texas' – which was organized by RAIR's founder – became a central theme, with even Governor Greg Abbott renewing his calls for lawmakers to ban Sharia law in the state, according to the Houston Chronicle.  Sheikhani started off as a businessman in Fort Bend, Texas, owning a number of vape shops He met with Pakistan's Chairman of the Prime Minister's Youth Programme when the official visited Houston last month Muslim Republican delegates and attendees were then confronted about their faith, including one who was explicitly told he should leave the country, the Texas Tribune reports. Party members also reportedly tried to expel two longtime Muslim delegates.  French is said to have supported the efforts and even allegedly called for the deportation of one of the delegate's sons. His campaign website now notes that he 'is a proven conservative fighter who has stood up to the Chinese Communist Party and radical Islam.' But Sheikhani offered a simple solution for Muslim and Pakistani Texans when they face questions about whether they belong in the Lone Star state. 'This is our country too,' he argued. 'Just do the right thing, do everything by the law and let people talk.'  The Daily Mail has reached out to RAIR Foundation USA and French's campaign for comment.