Texas Governor Greg Abbott has formally requested that the U.S. Treasury Department investigate the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and suspend its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt status. In a letter sent to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Governor Abbott cited concerns about CAIR’s alleged connections to terrorist organizations.
“Federal investigators and court fillings identify CAIR as a direct subsidiary of the Muslim Brotherhood and as a ‘front group’ for Hamas in the United States,” Abbott wrote in his letter. “Accordingly, I respectfully request that you investigate CAIR for suspension of its tax-exempt status. Americans have generous hearts, and federal law wisely creates incentives to donate to nonprofit organizations that promote the public good. But charity must not become a backdoor to sponsor terrorism, endanger Americans, and subvert our democracy.”
Governor Abbott has previously taken steps related to these concerns, including designating both the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR as foreign terrorist organizations within Texas, calling for investigations into Sharia courts, and directing the Texas Department of Public Safety to look into activities associated with these groups.
