CAIR Sues Texas After Abbott Labels It a Terrorist Organization

The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is taking Texas Governor Greg Abbott to court after he designated the group a “foreign terrorist organization” a move that could set the stage for one of the most important First Amendment battles in recent memory.

This week, CAIR’s Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin chapters filed a federal lawsuit arguing Abbott’s proclamation is unconstitutional, “lawless,” and politically motivated. The governor’s designation which also extends to the Muslim Brotherhood, a radical Islamist group with global ties bars CAIR from purchasing land in Texas under a state law designed to protect against foreign adversaries.

CAIR, unsurprisingly, is crying foul.

“We are not and will not be intimidated by smear campaigns launched by Israel First politicians like Mr. Abbott,” CAIR-Texas said in a statement laced with anti-Israel rhetoric and political posturing. The group portrayed itself as a civil rights organization defending “free speech, religious freedom, and racial equality.”

What CAIR left out, however, is its long-documented history of radical affiliations. Founded in 1994, CAIR has been repeatedly linked to individuals and organizations under investigation for terror financing, anti-Semitic rhetoric, and extremist activity. In 2009, the FBI cut off formal ties with CAIR due to its connections to Hamas-linked groups.

Now, after years of quietly pushing its influence in politics, education, and law enforcement training, CAIR is fighting back in court, accusing Abbott of defamation and abuse of power.

Here's what Abbott’s executive action does:

• Designates CAIR as a foreign terrorist organization alongside the Muslim Brotherhood

• Blocks land ownership under laws targeting foreign entities with hostile intent

• Signals a broader crackdown on groups with radical ideologies operating within Texas

"The justice system must not allow terrorist-linked groups to gain power and influence under the guise of civil rights," Abbott stated earlier this week. “CAIR has demonstrated again and again its hostility to American values and its dangerous foreign ties. Texas will not allow it to take root.”

Abbott’s critics including CAIR’s legal team and the Muslim Legal Fund of America claim the move is purely political. They argue it’s a First Amendment violation, asserting that if a governor can unilaterally label any advocacy group a terrorist organization, civil liberties are at risk.

But the deeper issue isn’t freedom of religion or political expression it’s whether groups with ties to extremist ideologies should be allowed to operate freely within U.S. borders while hiding behind constitutional protections.

CAIR’s lawsuit comes just months after Texas Republicans launched investigations into a controversial Muslim-planned community outside Dallas. Officials raised red flags over concerns the development would be governed by Islamic law, with ties to the East Plano Islamic Center (EPIC). While the DOJ ultimately closed its civil rights probe, the case highlighted growing unease over foreign-funded religious enclaves taking root in American suburbs.

Despite the backlash, Governor Abbott shows no signs of backing down and he shouldn’t.

This isn’t just about one group or one lawsuit. It’s about whether America has the will to defend itself against ideological subversion disguised as activism. When groups with documented ties to foreign radical networks are allowed to influence policy, undermine law enforcement, and buy up land, the consequences are far greater than a courtroom loss.

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