In a move that sparked widespread controversy within political and human rights circles in the United States, Texas Governor Greg Abbott announced on Monday, November 18, 2025, that he had issued an official decree designating the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as foreign terrorist organizations and transnational criminal organizations, based on the powers granted to him under Texas state law.
The decision is based on a combination of state penalty and property laws, which give the governor the authority to designate foreign entities and organizations that he deems to pose a direct threat to public safety. Under the order, which took effect immediately upon its announcement, the Brotherhood, CAIR, and their affiliates are prohibited from purchasing or owning land within the state’s borders.
The Civil Practice and Remedies Act also applies to individuals or entities that provide support or participate in the activities of these organizations, which could lead to financial and civil penalties, as well as the possibility of confiscation of offending property and criminal penalties for those involved.
The official decrees indicated that the decision was based on what it described as a “long record of allegations” related to the two groups’ support for international terrorism and their links to movements classified as terrorist, such as Hamas, as well as accusations of inciting the imposition of Sharia law by force and undermining the stability of societies.
Governor Abbott justified his decision by saying that the Brotherhood and CAIR espouse extremist goals, including what he described as “the domination of the world by political Islam,” as well as alleged support for extremist groups working to undermine international peace and security.
This decision comes as an extension of a package of legislation passed by the state in recent years to curb what it considers “growing foreign influence,” including a law banning so-called “Sharia settlements” signed by Abbott in 2025.
The decision also reflects a broader political trend within Texas, where a number of Republican lawmakers have introduced a bill to declare CAIR “unwelcome” in the Capitol building, citing what they describe as “reliable evidence” of links between its leadership and movements classified by the US government as terrorist organizations.
In a related context, Republican Senator Ted Cruz expressed his full support for the governor’s move, affirming his intention to work with members of Congress to escalate the issue at the federal level, with the aim of officially listing the Muslim Brotherhood as a national terrorist organization. He urged the US administration to issue a presidential decree in this regard to preserve the security and safety of citizens.”
