U.S. Rep. Troy Nehls, R-Richmond, a hard-line conservative and one of President Donald Trump’s most ardent allies in Congress, will retire at the end of his current term.

The three-term Republican, who represents a swath of Houston’s southern suburbs, announced the decision on social media Saturday morning, highlighting his police and military record. Before serving in Congress, Nehls had been sheriff of Fort Bend County. ....

Nehls was first elected in 2020 and was a member of the House Freedom Caucus, the party’s rightmost wing that has frequently antagonized GOP leadership. He left the group last year, citing differences in philosophy.

Nehls has been embroiled in personal controversies in recent years. In 2024, the House Ethics Committee investigated his campaign finance records after an audit found evidence he had used funds on rent payments to his own company. Nehls filed a lawsuit in federal court alleging Capitol police had illegally searched his office. The complaint was later dismissed.