Texas Governor Greg Abbott has launched an unprecedented attack on two Islamic organizations, designating the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Brotherhood as “foreign terrorist organizations” and demanding state authorities strip CAIR of its nonprofit status in Texas.
The sweeping proclamation, announced by the governor’s office, effectively bans both groups from purchasing or owning land in the state and directs Attorney General Ken Paxton to use his regulatory powers to eliminate CAIR’s operations throughout Texas.
“Voluminous documents detail the dangers posed to Texans by the Muslim Brotherhood, CAIR, and their affiliates,” Abbott stated in his directive to Paxton. “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.”
Legal Authority Questioned
Abbott’s proclamation cites both the Texas Penal Code and Property Code as giving him authority to make such designations. The move appears to test the limits of a new state law expanding gubernatorial powers based on national security threat assessments, according to reports from the Texas Tribune.
What makes the designation particularly controversial? Neither CAIR nor the Muslim Brotherhood is federally designated as a terrorist organization, raising questions about whether a state governor has authority to make such designations independently.
The governor’s office accused the Muslim Brotherhood of participating in terrorism and described CAIR as its “successor organization” — a characterization CAIR vehemently disputes.
CAIR Responds
CAIR has fired back, describing itself as an independent civil rights organization serving Americans. The organization responded sharply to Abbott’s actions: “While we appreciate his fixation on our civil rights organization, his defamatory declaration lacks any factual or legal basis. We look forward to meeting you in court again, Greg… if you’re willing.”
In a separate statement, CAIR added: “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.”
The organization maintains it stands against violence, hate crimes, ethnic cleansing, genocide, and terrorism — and depends on American support for its civil rights work.
Immediate Impact on Community Events
Abbott’s actions extend beyond legal designations. The governor has also called on the Cy-Fair Independent School District to cancel plans to host the 2026 Houston Islamic Games at Bridgeland High School, citing CAIR’s sponsorship of the event.
“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 in his directive to the school district.
Legal experts suggest the unprecedented nature of a state-level terrorist designation will almost certainly face court challenges. The governor’s directives to both the Attorney General and school district represent some of the most aggressive actions taken by any U.S. state government against Islamic organizations in recent years.
As this situation unfolds, Muslim community leaders across Texas have expressed concern about potential ramifications for their communities beyond the specific organizations named in Abbott’s proclamation.
