Austin, Texas – Texas Governor Greg Abbott has announced the designation of the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as “foreign terrorist organizations” and “transnational criminal organizations.” This decision, announced on social media, effectively bars these groups from purchasing or owning land within the state of Texas.
The governor stated that this action also empowers state authorities to initiate legal proceedings aimed at shutting down these organizations’ operations within Texas. The move is likely to provoke significant debate regarding states’ rights versus federal authority in designating terrorist organizations.
CAIR, a prominent Muslim civil rights and advocacy group with approximately 30 chapters nationwide, including three in Texas, has strongly condemned the designation. The organization has labeled the decision as a “defamatory” act lacking any factual or legal basis. CAIR further accuses Governor Abbott of promoting a pro-Israel agenda and fueling anti-Muslim sentiment to discredit American Muslims critical of the Israeli government’s policies.
Governor Abbott has been a vocal supporter of Israel and has previously characterized pro-Palestinian student protests in Texas as anti-Semitic. While the designation of terrorist organizations typically falls under the purview of the federal government, this is not the first time Governor Abbott has taken such action. In September 2024, he designated the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua as a foreign terrorist organization, months before a similar federal designation.
The decision comes after Governor Abbott signed a law in September prohibiting the establishment of Sharia law compounds in Texas, a move seemingly in response to a proposed real estate project catering to the Muslim community, including the construction of a mosque. This latest designation is expected to further inflame tensions and spark legal challenges.
