Texas Labels CAIR and Muslim Groups as Terrorist Entities

On Tuesday, Texas Governor Greg Abbott made a bold and contentious move by designating two prominent Muslim organizations, including the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), as terrorist and transnational criminal entities. This decision has sparked a nationwide conversation, raising significant concerns regarding civil rights, constitutional limits, and heightened political divisions surrounding the Gaza conflict.

In a post on X, Abbott revealed the classifications, stating that both CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood are officially blacklisted under Texas law. He characterized the action as a measure necessary for “protecting Texas.”

Following this order, both organizations are now prohibited from purchasing or acquiring land in Texas, while the state is empowered to initiate lawsuits to impede their activities.

Straying from Federal Norms

This designation has raised eyebrows, as the authority to label terrorist organizations in the U.S. is typically a federal prerogative, not a matter for states.

Governor Abbott has pushed the limits of state authority, especially concerning national security and immigration matters. Notably, in September 2024, he labeled the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua as an international terrorist group, a designation later supported by then-President Trump in February 2025.

Legal analysts caution that this recent decision could embolden other states to make politically driven designations without federal oversight.

CAIR Responds: An Assault on Muslim Rights

CAIR, a leading civil rights group for Muslims, has criticized Abbott’s announcement as a means to “incite anti-Muslim hysteria,” focusing particularly on Muslims who openly oppose Israeli government actions in Gaza.

With 30 offices nationwide and operations since the mid-1990s, CAIR asserts that the Texas order is politically charged, aiming to suppress Muslim advocacy amidst elevated tensions over the Israel-Hamas issue.

Texas holds one of the U.S.'s fastest-growing Muslim populations, with over 313,000 individuals identifying as Muslim in 2025. Concerns abound over potential discrimination, harassment, and legal uncertainties facing Muslim residents of Texas.

Abbott’s Firm Stance on Israel and Pro-Palestinian Protests

Governor Abbott has been an outspoken supporter of Israel throughout the Gaza conflict. Over the past year, he described pro-Palestinian demonstrations by students as anti-Semitic and pursued tighter state regulations on university protests.

In September 2025, he enacted a law preventing real estate developments from becoming “exclusive complexes operating under Sharia law,” following claims of religious exclusivity in a contested development project in Plano.

Deepening Political Divides

The timing of Abbott’s decision aligns with a period of acute polarization within the U.S. Amid ongoing tensions from the Gaza conflict, the designation of CAIR — a significant civil rights organization with a vast following — marks one of the most severe actions against a Muslim entity at the state level in decades.

Supporters argue that this decision enhances security and counters extremism; detractors insist it represents a perilous overreach that unfairly targets a community under the pretext of national security.

A Decision with Nationwide Consequences

The implications of this designation are likely to extend beyond Texas. Advocates for civil liberties expect numerous legal challenges, while political commentators suggest this action could escalate tensions ahead of the 2025–26 election cycle.

As discussions continue around religious freedom, state authority, and America’s involvement in the Middle East, Texas's classification of CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood may emerge as a pivotal and contentious security decision for the nation.