Austin, Texas — Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has asked a state judge to shut down the Council on American-Islamic Relations, the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights organization, alleging it operates in coordination with the Muslim Brotherhood as a “radical terrorist organization.” The lawsuit, filed Thursday in Collin County state court, seeks to bar CAIR from operating in Texas, cut off its fundraising, and prohibit the group from owning property or recruiting members.
Paxton’s filing asks the court to affirm a proclamation issued last year by Gov. Greg Abbott designating CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist and transnational criminal organizations. In the complaint, Paxton argues CAIR functions as a covert arm of the Muslim Brotherhood and points to the group’s support for pro-Palestinian student protests, including demonstrations at the University of Texas at Austin, as evidence of extremist alignment.
The lawsuit marks the latest escalation in a series of investigations and legal actions by Republican officials targeting Muslim organizations in Texas. Supporters of CAIR say the efforts reflect rising Islamophobia and retaliation for advocacy opposing Israel’s war in Gaza. Federal authorities recently closed an investigation into a mosque-centered development in Plano without action, though Paxton pursued a separate securities case.
CAIR has denied the allegations and says it will continue operating in Texas. The group maintains it complies with all laws and exists to protect civil rights and promote understanding of Islam. CAIR has already filed a federal lawsuit challenging Abbott’s designation, which remains pending.
Sources
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