Brandon Gill | |
|---|---|
Official portrait, 2024 | |
| Member of the U.S. House of Representatives from Texas's 26th district | |
| Assumed office January 3, 2025 | |
| Preceded by | Michael C. Burgess |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Brandon Gene Gill February 26, 1994 Clovis, New Mexico, U.S. |
| Party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Danielle D'Souza (m. 2017) |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | Dinesh D'Souza (father-in-law) |
| Education | Dartmouth College (BA) |
| Website | House website Campaign website |
Brandon Gene Gill[1] (born February 26, 1994)[2] is an American politician, media proprietor, and former investment banker serving as the U.S. representative for Texas's 26th congressional district since 2025.[3] A member of the Republican Party, he is the youngest Republican member of Congress. His district is anchored in Denton County, a suburban county north of Dallas and Fort Worth.
Born in New Mexico and raised on a ranch in Texas, Gill graduated from Dartmouth College with a bachelor's degree in history and economics. After a brief career as an investment banker, Gill founded the online newspaper D.C. Enquirer in 2022. He worked as publisher and editor-in-chief of the paper until moving back to Texas to run for the U.S. House of Representatives.
Early life and education
[edit]Gill was born in Clovis, New Mexico, on a United States Air Force base to a father who served as an officer in the United States Air Force. Gill grew up on a cattle ranch in Eula, Texas. He attended Dartmouth College, where he headed the conservative student newspaper The Dartmouth Review and graduated cum laude with a bachelor's degree in history and economics.[4]
Career
[edit]After graduating, Gill worked in New York City as an investment banker at Nomura Securities.[5][6]
Gill founded the online newspaper D.C. Enquirer in 2022, saying that he was "going to bat for President Trump in the public square." He marketed his father-in-law Dinesh D'Souza's 2022 film 2000 Mules, a political film stating the 2020 United States presidential election was stolen.[7][2]
U.S. House of Representatives
[edit]Elections
[edit]2024 U.S. House election
[edit]Gill announced he would seek the Republican nomination in Texas' 26th congressional district, seeking to succeed retiring incumbent Michael Burgess. Gill had moved to the district from New York City a year prior to Burgess announcing his retirement. Gill said that he would step back from his role as an editor for the D.C. Enquirer to run for office. He was endorsed by President Donald Trump and Texas Senator Ted Cruz.[2] Gill won the primary with over 50% of the vote (without needing a runoff despite having ten opponents), before winning the general election. Gill said that he hoped to join the House Freedom Caucus if elected into office.[2][8] Gill defeated Democratic nominee Ernest Lineberger III and Libertarian candidate Phil Gray in the general election with over 60% of the vote.[9]
Tenure
[edit]Rep. Gill was sworn in to the 119th United States Congress on January 3, 2025. Gill is the youngest sitting House Republican.[5] He is a member of the new House Department of Government Efficiency Committee.[10]
Gill's first bill, the REMAIN in Mexico Act (H.R.273), would codify the Migrant Protection Protocols from Trump's first term, requiring asylum seekers entering from Mexico to wait there during immigration proceedings.[11][12]
In March 2025, Gill submitted a bill to put Trump's face on the $100 note once his second term ends.[13] In September 2025, Gill's DC Juvenile Sentencing Reform Act passed the House 225–203, lowering the age for trying certain juvenile offenders as adults in the District of Columbia.[14] That same month, Gill introduced articles of impeachment against U.S. District Judge James E. Boasberg for blocking the Trump administration's use of the Alien Enemies Act to deport Venezuelan nationals; Chief Justice John Roberts issued a statement the same day calling impeachment "not an appropriate response to disagreement concerning a judicial decision."[15][16] In November 2025, Gill filed a second impeachment resolution against Boasberg, alleging abuse of power for authorizing subpoenas of Republican senators' phone records during the Arctic Frost investigation.[17][18]
Committee assignments
[edit]Political positions
[edit]Gill stated that "fortifying the border" would be his principal policy objective. He supports mass deportations.[2] Gill circulated a petition calling for the deportation of Somali-born Minnesota congresswoman Ilhan Omar after Omar gave an interview, advising undocumented people to "refrain from disclosing information" when being questioned by Immigration and Customs Enforcement.[19] He has also described "remigration" policies as "desperately needed".[20]
At an event hosted by the New York Young Republican Club, Gill praised Daniel Penny, who was acquitted of manslaughter for the killing of Jordan Neely. Gill said, "I think we need a lot more Daniel Pennys in this country, because we have far too many Jordan Neelys."[21] According to MSNBC's Jared Holt, Gill celebrated Penny's acquittal on X by posting "It's still not illegal to be white."[22]
Gill supports President Trump's proposal to redevelop the Gaza Strip, stating "President Trump is bringing peace to the Middle East, just as he promised. PROMISES KEPT."[23]
Islam
Gill has made a series of remarks characterized as Islamophobic.[24][25][26] The Washington Post reported that Gill made comments "similar" to those by Rep. Randy Fine and Sen. Tommy Tuberville that the paper characterized as "blatant Islamophobia".[25] In June 2025, Gill commented on a video of New York City mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani eating with his hands, "Civilized people in America don't eat like this. If you refuse to adopt Western customs, go back to the Third World."[27] Gill later criticized Mamdani for releasing a campaign video in Arabic, writing "Just a couple decades after 9/11, the leading candidate for NYC mayor is campaigning in Arabic. The humiliation is the point."[28] In October 2025, Gill responded to journalist Mehdi Hasan on X, stating that Muslims were moving to the U.S. "en masse" to "fundamentally transform the landscape of American public life," and telling Hasan, "If you want to live in a Muslim country, go back to the UK."[29] In a Newsmax interview, Gill said that "Islam is a political ideology that is incompatible with the United States. It's incompatible with our constitutional system and with Western civilization more broadly." Gill called for the restriction of Muslim immigration to the United States. Gill repeated his claim that Islam was incompatible with the United States in his newsletter, writing “How many times do we have to hear 'Allahu Akbar' in America before we recognize Islam is a problem?”[30] In February 2026, Gill claimed that his constituents were "desperately concerned about the Islamization of the Dallas area." Gill said that "When you hear about constituents talking about going to their local malls and you look around and it feels like you're in Pakistan, not Dallas, Texas, that's a problem." [24]
In February 2026, Gill wrote on social media "How many Americans have to get ‘Allahu Akbar’ed before we realize Islam is a problem?”[31]
Electoral history
[edit]2024
[edit]| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Brandon Gill | 49,876 | 58.4 | |
| Republican | Scott Armey | 12,400 | 14.5 | |
| Republican | John Huffman | 8,559 | 10.0 | |
| Republican | Luisa del Rosal | 3,949 | 4.6 | |
| Republican | Doug Robison | 2,999 | 3.5 | |
| Republican | Mark Rutledge | 2,130 | 2.5 | |
| Republican | Joel Krause | 1,959 | 2.3 | |
| Republican | Neena Biswas | 1,665 | 1.9 | |
| Republican | Burt Thakur | 975 | 1.1 | |
| Republican | Vlad de Franceschi | 572 | 0.7 | |
| Republican | Jason Kergosien | 366 | 0.4 | |
| Total votes | 85,450 | 100.0 | ||
| Party | Candidate | Votes | % | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Republican | Brandon Gill | 241,096 | 62.1 | |
| Democratic | Ernest Lineberger | 138,558 | 35.7 | |
| Libertarian | Phil Gray | 8,773 | 2.3 | |
| Total votes | 388,427 | 100 | ||
Personal life
[edit]Gill married Danielle D'Souza, the daughter of conservative political commentator Dinesh D'Souza, in 2017.[33] They have two children and live in Flower Mound, Texas.[34]
References
[edit]- ^ "Rep. Brandon Gill - R Texas, 26th - Biography". LegiStorm. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
- ^ a b c d e Choi, Matthew (February 14, 2024). "Southlake mayor and Dinesh D'Souza's son-in-law lead pack in open North Texas congressional primary". The Texas Tribune. Archived from the original on February 14, 2024.
- ^ McPhate, Christian (November 5, 2024). "Trump-Backed Candidate Brandon Gill Will Succeed U.S. Rep. Burgess in District 26 Seat". KERA-TV. Archived from the original on November 6, 2024.
- ^ "Meet Brandon Gill". Brandon Gill For Congress.
- ^ a b "Brandon Gill Wins Republican Primary Race to Succeed Congressman Michael Burgess". The Texan. March 6, 2024.
- ^ "Brandon Gene Gill". brokercheck.finra.org. Retrieved November 10, 2025.
- ^ Gilbert, David (March 6, 2024). "He Promoted an Election Conspiracy Film. Now He's Headed for Congress". WIRED. Retrieved March 7, 2024.
- ^ Mutnick, Ally; Fernandez, Madison (March 7, 2024). "GOP Navigates Primary Minefield as it Tries to Secure House Control". Politico.
- ^ Morton, Joseph (March 6, 2024). "Brandon Gill Claims Victory in Republican Primary to Replace U.S. Rep. Michael Burgess". The Dallas Morning News.
- ^ Birle, Jack (January 21, 2025). "Marjorie Taylor Greene announces Republicans picked for House DOGE committee". Washington Examiner. Retrieved March 4, 2025.
- ^ "Republicans look to revive Trump's 'Remain in Mexico'". Washington Examiner. January 9, 2025. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ^ "Brandon Gill pushes Trump-era 'Remain in Mexico' policy". Punchbowl News. January 9, 2025. Retrieved December 23, 2025.
- ^ Rahman, Billal (March 3, 2025). "Donald Trump to Replace Benjamin Franklin on $100 Bill Under GOP Proposal". Newsweek. Retrieved March 3, 2025.
- ^ "H.R.5140 - DC Juvenile Sentencing Reform Act". Congress.gov. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
- ^ Solender, Andrew (March 18, 2025). "House Republicans move swiftly to impeach judge targeted by Trump". Axios.
- ^ de Vogue, Ariane (March 18, 2025). "Chief Justice Roberts issues rare rebuke of impeachment calls against federal judge". CNN. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
- ^ Schultz, Marisa (November 5, 2025). "Judge Boasberg impeachment push gains support despite House GOP leaders' resistance". Fox News. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
- ^ "H.Res.858 - Impeaching James E. Boasberg". Congress.gov. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
- ^ Timotija, Filip (February 4, 2025). "Freshman Texas Lawmaker Calling for Deportation of Ilhan Omar". The Hill. Archived from the original on February 4, 2025.
- ^ @RepBrandonGill (September 5, 2025). "We're losing our country. Mass deportations, remigration and strict immigration caps are desperately needed" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ Haner, Joanne (December 16, 2024). "Incoming House Republican: 'We need a lot more Daniel Pennys'". The Hill. Retrieved January 4, 2025.
- ^ Holt, Jared (January 7, 2025). "How Rep. Brandon Gill Went from Clickbait to Congress". MSNBC. Archived from the original on January 7, 2025.
- ^ Commander, Anna (February 4, 2025). "Republican Suggests Turning Gaza 'Into Mar-a-Lago' After Trump Announcement". Newsweek. Retrieved February 13, 2025.
- ^ a b Humble, Ahmed (February 9, 2026). "Texas GOP lawmaker claims Dallas malls feel 'like Pakistan,' igniting backlash". Chron. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
- ^ a b Choi, Matthew (December 15, 2025). "Rep. Fine, Sen. Tuberville call for mass expulsion of American Muslims". The Washington Post. Retrieved December 24, 2025.
- ^ Harb, Ali (June 30, 2025). "Mamdani's New York victory sparks Islamophobic backlash in US". Al Jazeera. Retrieved February 16, 2025.
- ^ Rahman, Khaleda (June 30, 2025). "Republican Tells Zohran Mamdani: 'Go Back to the Third World'". Newsweek. Retrieved June 30, 2025.
- ^ Nitzberg, Alex (November 4, 2025). "AOC pushes back after GOP lawmaker calls Mamdani's Arabic campaigning a 'humiliation'". Fox News.
- ^ Rashid, Hafiz (October 22, 2025). "GOP Rep Picks Racist Fight With Mehdi Hasan Over Muslims in America". The New Republic. Retrieved December 22, 2025.
- ^ Hicks, Tyler (December 5, 2025). "Greg Abbott's Cair 'terror' label stokes legal fight in Texas's long struggle with Islamophobia". The Guardian. Retrieved February 16, 2026.
- ^ "Rep. Gill Draws Backlash Over Controversial Remark About Islam". WABC Radio. March 2, 2026. Retrieved March 2, 2026.
- ^ "Texas 26th Congressional District Election Results". New York Times. November 5, 2024.
- ^ Holt, Jared (January 10, 2025). "Opinion | Brandon Gill — from clickbait to Congress". Yahoo! News. Retrieved January 16, 2025.
- ^ Smith, Mark (November 28, 2023). "Flower Mound Man Launches Congressional Campaign". The Cross Timbers Gazette. Archived from the original on December 1, 2023. Retrieved December 1, 2023.