Muslim Groups Demand Abbott Retract CAIR Terrorist Designation

Texas Governor Greg Abbott’s decision to label the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as a “foreign terrorist organization” is drawing fire from Muslim advocacy groups, interfaith leaders, and left-wing activists many of whom are now demanding he rescind the declaration and calling it “defamatory” and “unconstitutional.”

On Tuesday, several groups held a press conference to denounce the Republican governor’s move, including representatives from CAIR, the Muslim Legal Defense Fund, and Jewish Voice for Peace. The event followed CAIR’s announcement of a lawsuit against the state of Texas, claiming Abbott’s proclamation violates both federal and state law.

To be clear, Abbott’s designation is symbolic, since only the U.S. State Department has the authority to officially designate a Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO). But under a new Texas statute targeting entities linked to “foreign adversaries,” the governor’s order bars CAIR from purchasing land in the state a move that’s already triggered legal challenges.

CAIR’s lawsuit argues that the governor’s proclamation infringes on the group’s First Amendment rights and due process protections, accusing the state of using the label to punish CAIR’s political speech, particularly criticism of Israel.

CAIR Dallas-Fort Worth Executive Director Mustaffa Carroll responded directly:

“The governor is attempting to punish the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization simply because he disagrees with its protected First Amendment rights to criticize a foreign state that is conducting genocide.”

Others followed with similar rhetoric, accusing Abbott of Islamophobia and fear-mongering.

• Marium Uddin of the Muslim Legal Defense Fund accused Abbott of invoking a “tired playbook to stoke fear of Muslims.”

• Jewish Voice for Peace’s Deborah Armintor declared full support for CAIR’s lawsuit, calling the proclamation “false and unconstitutional.”

• Democrat State Rep. Terry Meza went as far as saying Abbott’s words are “dangerous to our Muslim community.”

The reaction from the Left is entirely predictable. For years, groups like CAIR have cloaked themselves in the language of civil rights while brushing aside their long-documented ties to radical ideologies and questionable associations. Though CAIR denies wrongdoing and publicly condemns terrorism, critics point to past incidents, including the group's founding ties to the Muslim Brotherhood and its role as an unindicted co-conspirator in the Holy Land Foundation terrorism financing case.

Governor Abbott’s move may be symbolic, but it shines a much-needed spotlight on the growing influence of groups that hide behind religious identity to avoid scrutiny. At a time when antisemitism, anti-American activism, and open hostility toward law enforcement are surging on the political Left, leaders have a responsibility to draw the line and that’s exactly what Abbott is doing.

As the lawsuit proceeds, one thing is clear: the governor isn’t backing down. His office has remained firm in its stance that CAIR’s designation is justified under the new Texas statute and rooted in national security concerns.

Whether the courts uphold his decision or not, Abbott has sent a clear message: Texas will not roll over for groups with political agendas that blur the lines between activism and extremism.

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