Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has launched an aggressive campaign to shut down the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) in his state, formally designating the Muslim civil rights organization as a “foreign terrorist organization” and demanding the state attorney general strip its nonprofit status.
In his latest escalation against Muslim organizations, Abbott on Wednesday ordered the Texas Office of the Attorney General to use its regulatory authority over nonprofits to effectively eliminate CAIR’s operations in Texas.
“Voluminous documents detail the dangers posed to Texans by the Muslim Brotherhood, CAIR, and their affiliates,” Abbott said in his directive. “Regardless of the façade CAIR attempts to portray in press releases, CAIR cannot be allowed to use its ‘nonprofit’ status as a shield for sponsoring terror, advancing radical Islamism in Texas, or fronting for the Muslim Brotherhood.”
Extraordinary Claims, Limited Authority
The governor’s actions represent an unprecedented state-level attempt to designate and regulate organizations typically handled by federal authorities. Abbott has declared both CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as “foreign terrorist organizations” and “transnational criminal organizations,” claiming CAIR’s goal is “to forcibly impose Sharia law and establish Islam’s mastership of the world.”
These designations come with serious consequences. Under a newly expanded Texas law, both organizations would be banned from purchasing or acquiring land in the state — a move that could face significant legal challenges.
But can a state governor actually do this? CAIR officials say absolutely not.
“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,” responded Robert McCaw, CAIR’s director of government affairs.
Neither CAIR nor the Muslim Brotherhood appears on the U.S. State Department’s official list of foreign terrorist organizations — a designation that typically requires extensive federal investigation and evidence.
Multiple Fronts in Abbott’s Campaign
The governor’s efforts extend beyond terrorist designations. Abbott has also pressured Bridgeland High School in the Cypress-Fairbanks Independent School District to cancel plans to host the 2026 Houston Islamic Games due to CAIR sponsorship.
“It has come to my attention that Bridgeland High School intends to offer public school facilities to host the 2026 Houston Islamic Games,” Abbott wrote to school officials, citing CAIR’s involvement as problematic.
The governor has also directed the Texas Department of Public Safety to launch criminal investigations into both organizations and called on the U.S. Treasury Secretary to suspend CAIR’s federal tax-exempt status — all part of what appears to be a coordinated multi-pronged effort.
CAIR Responds
CAIR has forcefully rejected Abbott’s characterizations, promising legal challenges to what it describes as baseless accusations driven by anti-Muslim sentiment.
“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.”
The organization has consistently condemned terrorism and operates as a civil rights and advocacy group for American Muslims — a far cry from Abbott’s characterization of it as a terrorist entity.
Legal experts suggest Abbott’s actions likely exceed his authority as governor, particularly given that terrorism designations typically fall under federal jurisdiction. Still, the governor appears determined to use every state-level tool at his disposal.
As this confrontation unfolds, it raises significant questions about state versus federal authority, religious freedom, and the use of executive power — questions that will almost certainly be settled in courtrooms rather than press releases.
