Stefanik, Cotton urge Trump administration to probe CAIR over ties to Hamas

Republican lawmakers are calling on the Trump administration to investigate the Council on American-Islamic Relations’ sources of funding — including “potential ties” to Hamas.

New York Rep. Elise Stefanik and Arkansas Sen. Tom Cotton sent a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Tuesday, urging the department to investigate CAIR, citing the organization’s founding and leadership as points of concern.

The letter, first obtained by the Washington Free Beacon, outlined CAIR Executive Director Nihad Awad and co-founder Omar Ahmad’s previous involvement in the Islamic Association for Palestine, which “federal authorities identified as a propaganda front for Hamas,” it read.

Top GOPers Elise Stefanik and Tom Cotton sent a letter a letter to Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent on Tuesday, urging the department to investigate CAIR. Getty Images

It also pointed to their attendance at a 1993 meeting for the Muslim Brotherhood’s Palestine Committee, where it alleged attendees “discussed creating a new front group to support Hamas while concealing its ties,” according to the letter.

CAIR was founded just a year later in June 1994.

The two allege that CAIR has “potential” ties to Hamas. REUTERS

The council has not historically disclosed its donors on its website or tax filings. It is also a tax-exempt organization.

The Post has reached out to Bessent for comment.

This is a developing story. Please check back for updates.