The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation's largest Muslim civil liberties group, has filed a federal lawsuit against Texas Gov. Greg Abbott after he labeled CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist and transnational criminal organizations. CAIR called the definition “unconstitutional and defamatory.”
Abbott's announcement banning the groups and their affiliates from acquiring land in Texas and authorizing increased enforcement measures prompted an immediate response from CAIR, which called the designation “unconstitutional and defamatory” and accused the governor of targeting American Muslims for their advocacy.
How reported Abbott on Tuesday called the Council on American Islamic Relations and the Muslim Brotherhood foreign terrorist organizations and transnational criminal organizations, Breitbart Texas reported. This status allows authorities in the Lone Star State to take stricter action against the organization and its affiliates.
Soon after the signing of the declaration in press release released in the state capital, Abbott made the following comments regarding the appointment, stating: “The Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR have long made their goals clear: to forcefully impose Sharia law and establish Islamic dominance over the world. The actions taken by the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR to support terrorism around the world and undermine our laws through violence, intimidation and harassment are unacceptable.”
The proclamation signed by Abbott described CAIR as an Islamist organization that, according to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, “was founded as a 'front' for Hamas and its network of support” in the United States.
According to press release Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton was named as a party to the lawsuit along with Gov. Abbott, according to a CAIR report Thursday. In a statement released by CAIR, General Counsel Lena Masri described the group's previous lawsuits against the state, saying: “The CAIR Legal Defense Fund has successfully sued and defeated Texas Governor Greg Abbott the last three times he has attempted to violate the First Amendment by punishing critics of the Israeli government.”
CAIR classified Abbott's designation of the group as a foreign terrorist organization, calling the governor an “Israel politician first,” saying, “We are not and will not be intimidated by the smear campaigns launched by Israeli politicians like Mr. Abbott. Mr. Abbott denigrates us and other American Muslims because we are effective advocates for justice here and abroad.”
The governor's appointment carries severe civil penalties if he is allowed to run; Among other things, it would prohibit CAIR, the Muslim Brotherhood and their affiliates from buying or acquiring land in Texas. Abbott described the implications of the designation, adding: “These radical extremists are not welcome in our state and are now prohibited from acquiring any real estate interests in Texas.”
Randy Clark is a 32-year veteran of the U.S. Border Patrol. Prior to his retirement, he served as Chief of Law Enforcement Operations, overseeing nine Border Patrol stations in the Del Rio, Texas sector. Follow him on X @RandyClarkBBTX.
