Stefanik, Cotton press Treasury to investigate CAIR over alleged Hamas ties
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Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Y., and Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., are pressing Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to investigate the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), claiming it may be funded or directed by Hamas or other terrorist groups.
CAIR describes itself as a Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization founded in 1994 with chapters throughout the United States.
The request came as President Donald Trump announced a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel in Gaza.
Stefanik and Cotton argue that CAIR’s historic ties, public discourse, and activism raise questions about whether the group’s support for Hamas amounts to material support for terrorism.
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Rep. Elise Stefanik, R-Y., asks the Treasury Secretary to investigate the Council on American-Islamic Relations. (Getty Images)
The Treasury Department’s Office of Foreign Assets Control, which enforces U.S. sanctions on terrorist groups and their affiliates, has the authority to investigate whether CAIR’s activities violate federal law, the lawmakers said.
CAIR has long denied accusations that it supports Hamas, saying Hamas “does not support any foreign organization or government” and calling such claims “false and Islamophobic.” Description on their website. Group says its mission is to defend Muslim civil rights in the US
Stefanik chairs the House Republican Conference and Cotton sits on the Senate Armed Services Committee. Both have pushed for stricter enforcement of counterterrorism financing laws in past oversight efforts.
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President Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Ark., arrives at the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence hearing on “Worldwide Threats” at the Hart Senate Office Building on March 25. (Bill Clark/CQ-Roll Call, Inc.)
In July, Stefanik criticized to the City University of New York for hiring a former CAIR employee. He said the decision was unacceptable to New York taxpayers.
He and Cotton say the Treasury investigation will ensure that no U.S. assets are used to advance Hamas’ goals.
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“We call on the Department to immediately investigate whether CAIR has financial ties to Hamas that violate U.S. sanctions,” they wrote.
CAIR did not immediately respond to Fox News Digital’s request for comment.
