FINALLY! Hamas-linked CAIR’s political arm now widely exposed for operating illegally in 22 states

The Council of American-Islamic Relations’s (CAIR) political advocacy arm, CAIR Action, is operating “without the licenses, registrations, or legal authority required in any of the 22 states where it raises money or conducts political activity,” an investigation states. According to a watchdog group, CAIR’s nationwide political machine has systematically evaded state and federal regulators in what may amount to an illicit fundraising scheme.

Washington Free Beacon CAIR Action is incorporated in Washington, D.C., where it steers a nationwide political operation that solicits donations, endorses candidates, organizes voter influence campaigns, and maintains the infrastructure that powers its massive advocacy network. But CAIR Action “never obtained the Basic Business License (BBL)” required for it to “legally operate or solicit funds” within D.C. and beyond, according to a joint probe by the Network Contagion Research Institute (NCRI) and the Intelligent Advocacy Network (IAN).

CAIR’s activities constitute “an unlicensed interstate political-solicitation enterprise operating entirely outside the legal framework required for entities seeking funds across state lines,” the report states, and the organization’s lack of “legal authority to operate” means it could be guilty of “wire fraud,” “deceptive solicitation,” and “false statements to the IRS.” Investigators were unable to locate “required corporate registration, charitable filings or solicitation licenses” or any other evidence supporting its legal authorization in any of the 22 states in which CAIR Action operates.

The report also found that CAIR Action’s ecosystem exhibits a “converging pattern of foreign-state alignment,” especially regarding Turkey. This includes sponsorships from Turkish Airlines (state-linked), political programming hosted at the Turkish government’s Diyanet Center of America, multiple CAIR leaders’ appearances on Turkey’s state-run broadcaster (TRT World), and technical indicators showing CAIR Action’s official accounts routing through the Turkey App Store.

The report comes after a wave of action against CAIR on both the state and federal levels. Texas governor Greg Abbott (R.) last week ordered an investigation into the group after designating it a Foreign Terrorist Organization, citing the FBI in accusing CAIR of being a “front group” for Hamas. In Congress, Sen. Tom Cotton (R., Ark.) has urged the Department of Education to look into a “possibly illegal” partnership between CAIR and K-12 schools and pressed the IRS to review the group’s tax-exempt status. Alongside Rep. Elise Stefanik (R., N.Y.), Cotton called on the Treasury Department to investigate ties between Hamas and CAIR, whose leader, Nihad Awad, said he was “happy to see” Hamas’s Oct. 7, 2023, attack against Israel.

Florida follows Texas Governor, Greg Abbott, in designating the Muslim Brotherhood and its front group in America, CAIR, as terrorist organizations.

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has designated the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as a “foreign terrorist organization,” accusing the prominent Muslim civil rights group of ties to Hamas — allegations CAIR denies. The move follows a similar order issued last month by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, which CAIR is already challenging in federal court.

CAIR says Florida’s order is unconstitutional and plans to file its own lawsuit. DeSantis’ order also names the Muslim Brotherhood, though neither it nor CAIR is designated as a terrorist organization by the U.S. government. The directive blocks CAIR from receiving state contracts, funding or employment.

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