Texas Governor Greg Abbott Designates CAIR & Muslim Brotherhood as Terrorist Organizations: Legal Battle Ahead

Texas Governor Labels CAIR & Muslim Brotherhood as Terrorist Organizations

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has ignited a significant controversy by issuing a proclamation that labels the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy group in the U.S., as a "foreign terrorist organization" and a "transnational criminal organization."

The declaration, also encompassing the Muslim Brotherhood, comes with the stated intent of enabling the state to pursue measures to shut down these groups within Texas, including preventing them from acquiring land.

CAIR Responds with Forceful Opposition

This move by Governor Abbott has been met with immediate and forceful opposition, particularly from CAIR. The organization swiftly dispatched a letter to the governor, asserting that his announcement lacks any foundation in "law or fact" and accusing his office of actively fueling "anti-Muslim hysteria."

Robert S. McCaw, CAIR’s government affairs director, emphatically stated, "You do not have the authority to unilaterally declare any Americans or American institutions terrorist groups, nor is there any basis to level this smear against our organization."

Crucially, neither CAIR nor the Muslim Brotherhood are currently designated as foreign terrorist organizations by the U.S. federal government. This distinction highlights the unilateral nature of Governor Abbott's proclamation and sets the stage for a potential legal showdown.

Context: Previous Actions Against Muslim Initiatives in Texas

The governor's declaration appears to be a continuation of a broader pattern of actions by Texas Republicans against Muslim-centered initiatives. Earlier this year, state officials, including Abbott, launched investigations into a proposed Muslim-centric community near one of Dallas's largest mosques, associated with the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC City).

These investigations were based on claims that the group intended to establish an exclusive Muslim community governed by Islamic law—assertions that EPIC City representatives vehemently denied as misleading, dangerous, and unsubstantiated. A federal civil rights investigation into the planned community by the Justice Department concluded without any charges or lawsuits, further undermining the state's previous claims.

New Law Cited in Proclamation

In his recent proclamation, Abbott specifically referenced a law he enacted earlier this year, which he claims empowers the state to prohibit "foreign adversaries" from purchasing or acquiring land. Republican state Representative Cole Hefner, the bill's author, publicly endorsed the governor's decision on X, stating, "Today proves exactly why that law was needed."

The Muslim Brotherhood: A Global Perspective

The Muslim Brotherhood, established in Egypt almost a century ago, maintains a global presence. Its leadership asserts a renunciation of violence decades ago, advocating for the establishment of Islamic governance through electoral and other peaceful processes. Nevertheless, the organization continues to be regarded as a threat by various critics, including several autocratic governments across the Middle East.

A Clash of Authorities and Rights

This developing situation underscores a significant clash between state-level executive authority, federal designations, and civil rights advocacy, promising ongoing legal and political debate in Texas and potentially beyond.