Texas Governor Greg Abbott has directed the state’s Department of Public Safety to launch criminal investigations into the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Brotherhood, designating both as “foreign terrorist and transnational criminal organizations” in a controversial proclamation that immediately drew criticism and promises of legal challenges.
The sweeping directive, announced by the governor’s office, also prohibits both organizations from purchasing or acquiring land in Texas — a move that appears to test the boundaries of state authority over matters typically handled at the federal level.
“The Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR have long made their goals clear: to forcibly impose Sharia law and establish Islam’s ‘mastership of the world,'” Abbott claimed in his proclamation, using language that CAIR representatives have quickly denounced as baseless.
No Federal Designation
Notably, neither organization appears on the U.S. State Department’s official list of terrorist groups — a fact that raises significant questions about the legal foundation for Abbott’s declaration.
CAIR, which describes itself as a civil rights organization whose mission is to enhance understanding of Islam and empower American Muslims, serves as an advocacy group for Muslim Americans across the country.
The organization wasted no time responding to Abbott’s proclamation. “Although we are flattered by Greg Abbott’s obsession with our civil rights organization, his publicity stunt masquerading as a proclamation has no basis in fact or law,” CAIR stated. “By defaming a prominent American Muslim institution with debunked conspiracy theories and made-up quotes, Mr. Abbott has once again shown that his top priority is advancing anti-Muslim bigotry, not serving the people of Texas.”
Legal Questions Loom
What gives Abbott the authority to make such designations? The governor’s proclamation cites recently approved Texas legislation that expanded his power to ban property ownership by entities from countries named in annual threat assessment reports.
But legal experts are already questioning whether a state governor has the constitutional authority to designate organizations as terrorist groups — particularly when federal authorities haven’t made similar designations.
CAIR has indicated it’s ready to mount a legal challenge if Abbott’s declaration transforms into enforceable policy. The organization’s representatives described the move as part of a pattern of anti-Muslim sentiment rather than legitimate security concerns.
This isn’t the first time Abbott has taken aggressive stances on matters that typically fall under federal jurisdiction. The governor has previously made headlines for his border security initiatives and challenges to federal immigration policies.
As the situation develops, many Texans — including members of the state’s Muslim communities — are left wondering about the practical implications of a proclamation that seems designed to make a political statement rather than address specific security threats based on established evidence.
