Governor Greg Abbott has asked U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to begin an investigation into the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and suspend its 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit status.
In a letter sent Tuesday, Governor Abbott cited federal investigators and court filings that identify CAIR as a direct subsidiary of the Muslim Brotherhood and as a “front group” for Hamas in the United States. The letter states: “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 several steps regarding concerns over the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR. These actions include designating both organizations as foreign terrorist groups, calling for investigations into Sharia courts, and directing the Texas Department of Public Safety to investigate both entities.
