Ken Paxton Defends CAIR, Muslim Brotherhood Designation as Foreign Terrorist Organizations

Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton has filed a legal response defending the state's designation of the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as foreign terrorist organizations under Texas law.

The response follows an announcement issued by Governor Greg Abbott (R) on November 18, 2025, which formally declared both the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR to be "foreign terrorist organizations" and "transnational crime organizations."

After the announcement, CAIR chapters in Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin filed a lawsuit against the State of Texas, alleging that the designation "chilled" their First Amendment right to free speech.

The office of the Attorney General argues that the lawsuit relies on speculative claims and political disagreement rather than concrete legal harm. According to Paxton's office, the local CAIR chapters failed to demonstrate any actual enforcement action taken against them as a result of the proclamation, rendering their constitutional claims unfounded.

"Radical Islamist terrorist groups are anti-American, and the infiltration of these dangerous individuals into Texas must be stopped," said Paxton. "My office will continue to defend the Governor's lawful, accurate declaration that CAIR is an FTO, as well as Texas's right to protect itself from organizations with documented ties to foreign extremist movements."

Paxton noted that CAIR has not only been designated as a foreign terrorist organization by Texas, but also by the State of Florida and the United Arab Emirates. He cited statements from an FBI special agent who described CAIR as a "front group for Hamas."

Paxton stated that his office will continue efforts to identify and counter foreign terrorist and transnational criminal organizations that pose a threat to public safety, American values, and national security.