Sen. Cotton Seeks IRS Probe of CAIR Terror Ties

Sen. Tom Cotton (R-AR) has formally requested that the IRS investigate the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) for potential violations of its tax-exempt status, citing longstanding allegations of ties to terrorist organizations such as Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood. Cotton referenced CAIR's designation as an unindicted co-conspirator in the Holy Land Foundation terrorism financing case and pointed to statements by CAIR leaders supporting actions by Hamas following the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel. He asserts that organizations with alleged links to terrorism should not retain tax-exempt privileges and has called for a comprehensive IRS review of CAIR's finances and affiliations. CAIR has dismissed the allegations as debunked conspiracy theories and compared Cotton's investigation request to McCarthyism, emphasizing its identity as an independent civil rights group. This is the first formal request by a leading GOP senator for IRS oversight of CAIR since the October 7 attack. The Biden administration previously condemned remarks by a CAIR leader supporting Palestinians after the attack.