Overview
- Abbott on Tuesday sent Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent a letter requesting an investigation of CAIR and suspension of its 501(c)(3) status.
- CAIR on Wednesday sent Bessent its own letter defending its nonprofit status and alleging Abbott is targeting the group over past free‑speech lawsuits.
- The request follows Abbott’s November proclamation labeling CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood terrorist and transnational criminal organizations, triggering a property‑purchase ban and authorizing state enforcement.
- CAIR denies ties to terrorism and has filed a federal lawsuit calling the proclamation unconstitutional and defamatory, seeking to block its enforcement.
- The Treasury Department had not publicly responded, as Muslim leaders and Democratic lawmakers criticized Abbott’s actions and the governor cited the Holy Land Foundation case and other allegations to justify them.