Bannon's War Room: Battleground EP 944
Texas Wants To Freeze H1B's; Escaping Sharia For Christ
Date: February 10, 2026
Host: Steve Bannon
Guests: Ken Paxton (Texas Attorney General), Chris Russo (Texans for Strong Borders), Nassar Hussein (Christian convert from Islam), and others
Episode Overview
This episode centers on the escalating political climate in Texas ahead of the 2026 Senate primary. Main topics include the race between Ken Paxton, John Cornyn, and Wesley Hunt; debates over border security and immigration; the proposition to prohibit Sharia law in Texas; and a personal account detailing the dangers of leaving Islam for Christianity in the UK.
The tone is urgent and adversarial, focusing on grassroots mobilization, conservative identity, and the perceived threats to American and Texas values, particularly from immigration and alleged foreign influence.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Sharia Law and Proposition 10 in Texas
- Opening Statements:
- Bannon warns of "Islamic Jihadis plotting against you" in Texas, specifically mentioning Houston and Dallas ([00:08]).
- Prop 10, an initiative to prohibit Sharia law in Texas, is to appear on the March 3 ballot. The hosts and guests argue that Sharia is incompatible with the U.S. Constitution ([00:44]; [01:00]).
- Notable Quote:
- "The United States Constitution and Sharia are fundamentally at odds with one another." — Steve Bannon ([00:44])
- Grassroots are actively encouraged to fight for "state and nation" against this perceived threat ([01:07]).
2. Texas Senate Primary: Ken Paxton vs. John Cornyn
- Ken Paxton Interview:
- Paxton claims Cornyn is out of touch, running on large sums of "Washington money" and "lying" in campaign ads about his record ([02:35], [03:56]).
- Paxton asserts Cornyn has flip-flopped on supporting Trump and border security purely for political gain ([03:18], [03:56]).
- New University of Houston poll puts Paxton ahead, despite Cornyn’s massive ad spend ([02:35]).
- Memorable Moment:
- "He [Cornyn] cannot get elected in a primary telling the truth. Otherwise he would do it." — Ken Paxton ([03:56])
- General Election Narrative:
- Paxton counters establishment claims that his candidacy would jeopardize the seat. He highlights his prior electoral wins and grassroots support ([06:24]).
- Paxton outlines priorities for a general election: voter integrity, border security, opposition to Sharia law, tackling the budget deficit, and confronting China ([08:23]).
- Campaign Information:
- Paxton shares social media handles and calls for national support ([09:20]).
3. Critique of John Cornyn’s Immigration & Border Record
- Chris Russo's Perspective:
- Texans for Strong Borders has endorsed Paxton, calling Cornyn historically weak on border security and an "opponent" of enforcement ([11:50]).
- Russo points to Cornyn’s sponsorship of earlier "amnesty" bills and notes Cornyn’s recent hardline shift as politically motivated ([13:01], [14:48]).
- He details the political context of the Senate race, emphasizing the importance of the runoff structure ([16:14]).
- Grassroots Sentiment:
- Despite vast financial resources, Cornyn remains deeply unpopular due to a perceived poor record ([17:42]).
- Russo references Cornyn being booed at the Republican State Convention in 2022 ([17:42]).
- Notable Quote:
- "No amount of money can cover up a record that has been this poor." — Chris Russo ([17:42])
4. GOP Voter Attitudes on Immigration and H1B Visas
- Polling Results from Texans for Strong Borders:
- Russo shares recent polling in the 32nd congressional district:
- 83% support ICE, even more support Border Patrol
- 82% back Gov. Abbott’s freeze on H1B visa petitions
- 85% support universal E-Verify
- 73% oppose the "Dignity Act" (amnesty proposal) ([22:14])
- Key Insight:
- Republican voters want more aggressive immigration enforcement, mass deportations, and limits on legal immigration; moderation is seen as a losing strategy ([23:54]).
- Russo shares recent polling in the 32nd congressional district:
- Texas as a Political Bellwether:
- Bannon and Russo argue that Texas drives broader national trends in the GOP ([10:16], [31:31]).
5. Sharia Law Proposition and Grassroots Energy
- Grassroots Advocacy:
- Russo explains why Proposition 10 is on the ballot, arguing foreign enclaves in Texas threaten constitutional order by attempting to “purchase land and institute their own legal system" ([32:47]).
- He expects overwhelming GOP support for the measure (90%+), describing it as a “slam dunk” issue for the grassroots ([34:49]).
- Details legislative hurdles (Texas Legislature meets only every two years) and stresses urgent policy preparation should the measure pass ([32:47], [34:49]).
- Notable Quote:
- "I don't know how that is classified as anything but a hostile takeover of U.S. territory." — Chris Russo ([32:47])
6. Personal Testimony: Escaping Sharia for Christ
- Nassar Hussein’s Story:
- Hussein, a British citizen of Pakistani descent, recounts persecution after converting from Islam to Christianity in England ([37:23]–[51:00]).
- Describes violent attacks, ongoing police protection, and social ostracism; attributes persecution to Sharia principles, specifically apostasy laws ([39:13]).
- Links the rise of fundamentalism in UK Muslim communities to failed multiculturalism policies of the 1980s ([41:01]).
- Emphasizes the existential conflict for ex-Muslims in the West, charging UK authorities with making Muslims a “protected class” and leaving converts under threat ([50:07]).
- Striking Quote:
- "Ban Sharia. Sharia has no room in Western civilization... We ex-Muslims are under constant death threats and a death sentence." — Nassar Hussein ([50:07])
- Hussein urges Texans to vote for Prop 10 and learn about Sharia from first-hand sources ([51:06]).
Notable Quotes & Timestamps
- Steve Bannon:
- "Islamic Jihadis are plotting against you... They are working together to overthrow Western civilization." ([00:08])
- Ken Paxton:
- "He [Cornyn] cannot get elected in a primary telling the truth. Otherwise he would do it." ([03:56])
- Chris Russo:
- "No amount of money can cover up a record that has been this poor." ([17:42])
- "I don't know how that is classified as anything but a hostile takeover of U.S. territory." ([32:47])
- Nassar Hussein:
- "Ban Sharia. Sharia has no room in Western civilization... We ex-Muslims are under constant death threats and a death sentence." ([50:07])
Key Timestamps for Important Segments
- Texas and Sharia Law — Open: [00:08]–[01:20]
- Ken Paxton Interview: [02:34]–[10:16]
- Chris Russo on Senate Primary and Polling: [11:50]–[23:54]
- Discussion on Sharia Law Proposition: [31:45]–[36:52]
- Nassar Hussein Testimony: [37:23]–[51:54]
Resources & Ways to Connect
- Ken Paxton:
- Social: @KenPaxtonTX
- Website: kenpaxton.com ([09:20])
- Texans for Strong Borders (Chris Russo):
- Website: strongborders.org
- Social: @strongborderstx on X, Facebook, and Instagram ([36:26])
- Nassar Hussein:
- Website: banSharia.com ([51:46])
Recurring Themes & Tone
- Urgency to Mobilize: The host and guests urge listeners to remain vigilant and to participate actively in the upcoming primaries—particularly regarding Proposition 10 and border-related races.
- Distrust of Establishment/Elites: There is notable cynicism toward “Washington money,” establishment Republicans, and the political class, especially regarding John Cornyn.
- Focus on Security and Identity: Discussions consistently frame issues of Sharia law, immigration, and border security as existential challenges to Texas, America, and Western civilization.
- Personal Stakes: The inclusion of Nassar Hussein’s harrowing narrative of religious conversion and persecution is leveraged as both warning and emotional appeal.
Summary for New Listeners
This episode is a deep dive into the 2026 Texas political battles, with heated discussion about border security, immigration (including H1B visa freezes), the Republican primary contest, and a grassroots-led push to outlaw Sharia law in Texas. The second half includes a personal testimony highlighting the dangers of apostasy from Islam in the UK, offered as a cautionary tale for Americans. The overall tone is militant, populist, and mobilizing, inviting listeners to act decisively in the name of protecting state and national identity.
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