Texas Governor Defies Federal Authority in Controversial Terror Designation
Texas Governor Greg Abbott has dramatically escalated his confrontation with Muslim organisations by declaring the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organisations, despite states having no legal authority to make such designations under federal law.
The controversial move, announced on Tuesday, prohibits both groups from acquiring property in Texas and authorises the state attorney general to take legal action against entities deemed affiliated with them. However, Abbott's office has not specified how it will determine affiliation or what enforcement actions it plans to implement.
Legal Boundaries and Political Implications
Under the Immigration and Nationality Act, only the US Secretary of State possesses the authority to officially designate foreign terrorist organisations, following consultation with the Attorney General and Treasury Secretary. This process requires congressional notification and publication in the Federal Register.
The impact of Abbott's declaration is limited to Texas state law enforcement and carries none of the federal consequences that accompany legitimate terrorist designations, including no immigration penalties, asset freezing powers, or criminal penalties under federal material support statutes.
This development comes as Abbott, who recently announced his intention to run for re-election next November, intensifies his campaign against Muslim communities in Texas.
Organisational Response and Historical Context
CAIR, a Washington-based Muslim civil rights organisation that has operated chapters across the United States for decades, provides legal services to Muslim Americans facing discrimination and has consistently rejected accusations of terrorist ties.
In a statement posted on X, CAIR responded strongly: "Greg Abbott is an Israel First politician who has spent months stoking anti-Muslim hysteria to smear American Muslims critical of the Israeli government."
The organisation noted it has successfully sued Abbott three times for First Amendment violations and described itself as "an independent voice that answers to the American people."
This designation follows months of state action against Epic City, a proposed 400-acre Muslim community development near Josephine, northeast of Dallas. Abbott has repeatedly referred to the project as a "Sharia compound" and launched multiple investigations this year into alleged violations of consumer protection and funeral service laws.
However, in September, the Texas Workforce Commission resolved fair housing allegations against Epic City through a conciliation agreement requiring the development's leadership to undergo fair housing training and implement non-discriminatory policies. The US Department of Justice had closed a similar investigation in June.
Abbott signed legislation specifically targeting Epic City's business structure in March, and Texas Rangers are currently investigating the project for unspecified potential criminal activity.
The governor justified his actions by stating: "The Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR have long made their goals clear: to forcibly impose Sharia law and establish Islam's 'mastership' of the world."
This move represents one of the most significant escalations in the growing tension between Texas state authorities and Muslim communities, raising serious questions about states' rights versus federal authority in national security matters.
