Overview
- Rep. Elise Stefanik and Sen. Tom Cotton sent a letter Tuesday asking Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent to examine whether CAIR has financial links to Hamas that would violate U.S. sanctions.
- The lawmakers cited CAIR’s listing as an unindicted co‑conspirator in the Holy Land Foundation case, leaders’ attendance at a 1993 Palestine Committee meeting, and Nihad Awad’s past remarks praising Hamas operatives.
- They pointed to CAIR leaders’ prior roles in the Islamic Association for Palestine, which authorities have described as a Hamas propaganda arm, as part of a pattern they say warrants scrutiny.
- The letter highlights CAIR’s donor secrecy and a recent lawsuit settlement that avoided disclosure of foreign funders, arguing a probe could clarify the organization’s financing.
- CAIR rejected the allegations, saying it does not support any foreign group, calling the push a witch hunt, and noting a 2010 court ruling criticizing the use of unindicted co‑conspirator lists, while Treasury has not confirmed any investigation.