Texas AG Ken Paxton Sues CAIR, Muslim Brotherhood to Block State Operations

Jordi Bashirian

Published: February 6, 2026 8:42 AM ET

Texas AG Ken Paxton Sues CAIR, Muslim Brotherhood to Block State Operations

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has initiated legal action against the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Brotherhood. This lawsuit aims to prevent these organizations from operating within the state and curtail their perceived violent ideology.

Background on the Lawsuit

The Muslim Brotherhood is recognized as a radical group that seeks to exert governmental control to establish sharia law. For over thirty years, it has reportedly operated covertly in the U.S. under the name CAIR, effectively functioning as its American chapter.

Connections to Terrorism

CAIR has been linked to terrorism through various legal cases.
A founding board member of CAIR-Texas was convicted in 2008 for funneling $12.4 million to Hamas.
CAIR was identified as an unindicted co-conspirator in the same case.

The lawsuit asserts that CAIR represents the American presence of an international terrorist organization and highlights multiple violations of Texas law. These include:

Engaging in terrorism.
Transnational criminal organizations owning property.
Violating public nuisance statutes pertaining to gang activities.

Statements from Attorney General Paxton

Paxton expressed strong opposition to the presence of sharia law in Texas. He emphasized, “Sharia law and the jihadists who follow sharia law have no business being in Texas.” His support for Governor Abbott’s declaration of CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations aligns with this effort.

Objectives of the Lawsuit

The primary goals of this lawsuit are to:

Terminate the operations of the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR in Texas.
Prohibit these organizations and their affiliates from owning property in the state.
Restrict their efforts to solicit or recruit new members.

This legal action has been framed as essential for ensuring the safety and values of Texas residents. The implications of this lawsuit remain a focus for many as it progresses through the courts.