To the Florida 2026 Ballot Box: The Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR’s strategy to seize power from within the U.S.

To the Florida 2026 Ballot Box: The Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR’s Strategy to Seize Power from Within the U.S. Current Relevance to Florida and the 2026 Election

Current relevance to Florida and the 2026 election

As the Republican Party leaves vacancies in non-partisan local offices in Orange County, the Muslim Brotherhood network advances unchallenged.

This pattern responds to a strategy documented for decades: using “charities,” civic activism, mosques, and local candidates to gain influence from within the U.S. system. The epicenter is in Central Florida, where Muslim growth coincides with the Republican vacuum (Source: Orange County Supervisor of Elections – 2026 candidate list); CAIR Action Florida endorsement by Oliver Larkin, March 2026.

Hamas: Origin and current structure

Hamas (Harakat al-Muqawama al-Islamiya) was born in 1987 during the First Intifada as the official Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood (founded in Egypt in 1928). Its founder was Sheikh Ahmed Yassin.

Its original 1988 Charter explicitly calls for the destruction of Israel through violent jihad and contains anti-Semitic language. The 2017 revised Charter attempted to soften the image, but never repealed the original.

Hamas operates with three inseparable wings:

• Politics (government in Gaza since 2007).
• Military (Al-Qassam Brigades).
• Social (networks of “charity” – zakat committees, schools and hospitals – that serve to gain popular support and channel money).

In 2026, after the death of Ismail Haniyeh and Yahya Sinwar, Hamas elects new leadership (main candidates: Khalil al-Hayya and Khaled Meshaal). It receives financial and logistical support from Iran, Hezbollah and Qatar (Source: U.S. State Department – Designations of Hamas).

The global strategy of the Muslim Brotherhood

Hamas is the spearhead of the Muslim Brotherhood. Its plan for the West was set out in the Explanatory Memorandum of 1991 (internal document written by Mohamed Akram):

“Destroy Western civilization from within and sabotage their miserable home with their own hands” (Civilization-Jihadist Process).

This memorandum lists the organizations created in the U.S.: Holy Land Foundation (funding), Islamic Association for Palestine (propaganda) and CAIR (legal and political advocacy) (Source: Gov. Exhibit 3-85, United States v. Holy Land Foundation).

The Holy Land Foundation case: Hamas’ financial arm in the U.S.

Between 2001 and 2008, the Department of Justice filed indictments that culminated in the largest terrorist financing trial in U.S. history:

• HLF presented itself as the largest Muslim charity in the U.S. (Texas).
• It actually sent at least $12.4 million to Hamas-controlled zakat committees (out of a total collected of $56 million).

In 2008, the five leaders(Shukri Abu Baker, Ghassan Elashi, Mohammad El-Mezain, Mufid Abdulqader and Abdulrahman Odeh) were convicted.

The Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed all on December 7, 2011 (reviewed January 13, 2012, No. 09-10560, 170 pages):

“We conclude…that the defendants were fairly convicted…we AFFIRM the district court’s judgments of conviction.”

It confirmed that supporting the “social wing” of Hamas is tantamount to funding terrorism. (Source: United States v. El-Mezain et al., 5th Cir. 2011 – Full Judgment; DOJ press releases 2004-2008)

CAIR: The “moderate” side of the same network

CAIR (Council on American-Islamic Relations) was created in 1994 by the Palestine Committee of the Muslim Brotherhood. Its founders(Nihad Awad, Omar Ahmad and Rafeeq Jaber) came directly from the Islamic Association for Palestine.

• They attended the secret Philadelphia meeting (1993) recorded by the FBI.
• The Explanatory Memorandum includes them in the Hamas support network.
• In the HLF trial, CAIR was named as an unindicted co-conspirator.
• Federal Judge Jorge Solis (2009) stated, “There is abundant evidence establishing CAIR’s association with Hamas.”
• The FBI severed official relations in 2008.

Case 3:04-cr-00240-P

Federal bill H.R.4097: Attempt to designate CAIR as a terrorist organization.

In parallel to Florida’s state action, at the federal level H.R.4097 – Designate CAIR as a Terrorist Organization Act, introduced on June 24, 2025 by Republican Representative Randy Fine (R-FL-6), was introduced.

The bill does not directly designate CAIR as a foreign terrorist organization (FTO), but instead directs the Secretary of State (currently Marco Rubio) to conduct a formal review to determine whether CAIR meets the statutory criteria for designation as an FTO under federal law.

Among the arguments cited in the text of the project are:

• CAIR’s designation as an unindicted co-conspirator in the Holy Land Foundation case.
• His alleged historical ties to the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas, according to evidence presented at that trial.

Current Status (March 2026): The bill was referred to the House Judiciary Committee and, to date, has not advanced to a floor vote. It has received Republican cosponsors, but faces opposition from Democratic legislators and CAIR itself, which calls it unconstitutional and discriminatory.

This federal effort complements the DeSantis executive order and reflects a broader debate on the review of Muslim civilian organizations based on historical judicial precedent. (Official source: H.R.4097 – Congress.gov (full text and status); Text of bill)

In 2026, CAIR continues to endorse candidates and operate in Florida despite proven ties (Source: Holy Land Foundation trial exhibits; FBI letter 2008).

The specific case of Ron DeSantis v. Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR

On December 8, 2025, Governor Ron DeSantis signed Executive Order 25-244, declaring the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR to be “terrorist organizations” in Florida.

• Prohibits state contracts, funds or benefits to CAIR or its material supporters.
• It explicitly cites the HLF trial and Judge Solis’ ruling.

CAIR immediately sued. On March 4, 2026, Federal Judge Mark Walker (Middle District of Florida) granted a preliminary injunction temporarily blocking the order for alleged First Amendment violation. The main case remains open.

HLF’s judicial evidence has not been rebutted. (Source: Executive Order 25-244 – Official PDF; Judge Mark Walker’s Ruling, March 4, 2026 – Florida Phoenix)

Verified and updated list (March 2026) of U.S. candidates and officials who have received direct endorsement from CAIR or CAIR Action (its political arm).

Important:

• CAIR (501(c)(3)) does not formally endorse by tax law, but CAIR Action (501(c)(4)) does publicly.

Note: It is still early in the 2026 cycle. CAIR Action publishes state and local endorsements, not a complete national list. Oliver Larkin is the most prominent case at the federal level so far.

Current officials with endorsement or strong past support from CAIR

These are the most prominent ones that have received endorsements, CAIR Action grants or positive ratings on their Congressional Scorecards:

Federal Congress:

• Ilhan Omar (D-MN-5) – Recurring support and CAIR endorsements.
• Rep. Rashida Tlaib (D-MI-12) – Strong historical endorsement from CAIR.
• Rep. André Carson (D-IN-7) – Endorsed and supported by CAIR in multiple cycles.
• Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-WA-7) – High marks on CAIR scorecards (although more progressive overall).

Recent mayors and statewide offices (elected 2025 with CAIR support):

• Zohran K. Mamdani – Mayor of New York (first Muslim mayor of NYC).
• Ghazala Hashmi – Lieutenant Governor of Virginia (first Muslim woman in that position).
• Abdullah Hammoud – Mayor of Dearborn, Michigan.
• Mo Baydoun – Mayor of Dearborn Heights, Michigan.

Notable examples:

• Several Muslim members in positions of power in the U.S. have received direct endorsements from CAIR Action in previous cycles.

National context: Notable Muslim victories in 2025 elections

The gains seen in Florida are part of a national trend of increased participation and representation of Muslim Americans in public office. Below is the list of confirmed victories in the 2025 elections at the state, local and judicial levels in nine states:

Federal, state and legislative winners

The progress seen in Florida is part of a national trend. Below is the full list of confirmed wins or losses in 2025-2026, with direct links to their official or campaign pages in office:

Official and verifiable sources

• Oliver Larkin Endorsement: Larkin’s campaign site and CAIR Action Florida’s official Instagram.
• Historical list of Muslim 2025 winners (with congratulations from CAIR): CAIR official press release.
• Congressional Scorecard and past endorsements: CAIR Action official site.
• Historical ties to Muslim Brotherhood: Holy Land Foundation trial documents (Explanatory Memorandum and Fifth Circuit ruling 2011).

CAIR Action is active in local and state endorsements, especially in districts with high Muslim populations. At the federal level, endorsements are more selective and tend to go to progressive or Muslim candidates. There is no comprehensive national list for 2026 because many primaries are just beginning.

Connections with the Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR

• Hamas is the official Palestinian branch of the Muslim Brotherhood.
• In the USA, the Palestine Committee (created by the Brotherhood) coordinated support: HLF (money), IAP (propaganda) and CAIR.
• CAIR was named an unindicted co-conspirator in the HLF trial. Its founders (Nihad Awad, Omar Ahmad) came from IAP and attended the Philadelphia meeting.
• In 2026, branches of the Muslim Brotherhood (Egypt, Jordan, Lebanon) have been designated terrorists by the US for directly supporting Hamas.

Current relevance to Florida and the 2026 election

The Republican vacuum in local non-partisan Orlando offices (Judge Asima Azam unopposed, Safraaz Alli for county mayor, CAIR endorsement of Oliver Larkin) occurs in a context where:

• The Muslim Brotherhood/Hamas network has used “charities,” mosques and civil organizations to gain influence.
• CAIR Florida remains active (trainings, endorsements, lobbying) despite historical ties proven in federal courts.
• Muslim growth in Central Florida (from ~2,700 in 2000 to tens of thousands today) coincides with the advancement of Muslim candidates in judicial and municipal offices with no Republican counterweight.

Same pattern, same objective

Hamas is not just a group in Gaza. It is a global ideology and network (Muslim Brotherhood) that has used “charities,” politics and activism to infiltrate the West. The Holy Land Foundation case demonstrated how that strategy worked in the U.S. In 2026, with Muslim candidates advancing in Florida unopposed, the question remains the same as in 2001-2011: where does legitimate activism end and the influence of a designated terrorist organization begin?

From the Holy Land Foundation – the largest case of funding to Hamas in U.S. history – The infiltration of radical Islamism in the U.S.

Attorney General Transcript News Conference with President Bush and Secretary O’Neill Tuesday, December 4, 2001 The White House

SENIOR LEADER OF HAMAS AND TEXAS COMPUTER COMPANY INDICTED FOR CONSPIRACY TO VIOLATE U.S. BAN ON FINANCIAL DEALINGS WITH TERRORISTS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 18, 2002

Office of the Assistant Attorney General Washington, D.C. 20530 May 13, 2003

STATEMENT OF ATTORNEY GENERAL JOHN ASHCROFT REGARDING HOLY LAND FOUNDATION V.ASHCROFT: FRIDAY, JUNE 20, 2003 WWW.USDOJ.GOV

SAUDI NATIONAL CHARGED WITH CONSPIRACY TO PROVIDE MATERIAL SUPPORT TO HAMAS AND OTHER VIOLENT JIHADISTS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE THURSDAY, MARCH 4, 2004

Prepared Remarks of Attorney General John Ashcroft. Holy Land Foundation Indictment, July 27, 2004

HOLY LAND FOUNDATION, LEADERS, ACCUSED OF PROVIDING MATERIAL SUPPORT TO HAMAS TERRORIST ORGANIZATION FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE TUESDAY, JULY 27, 2004

Prepared Remarks of Attorney General John Ashcroft Regarding the Criminal Indictment Announcement of Hassoun and Youssef Thursday, September 16, 2004

TWO DEFENDANTS CHARGED IN FLORIDA WITH PROVIDING MATERIAL SUPPORT TO TERRORISTS FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 16, 2004

OPENING STATEMENT OF THE ATTORNEY GENERAL SENATE SELECT COMMITTEE ON INTELLIGENCE HEARING WASHINGTON, DC APRIL 27, 2005

Guity Plea and Plea Agreement

ROME, GEORGIA RESIDENT PLEADS GUILTY TO MATERIAL SUPPORT OF FOREIGN TERRORIST GROUP 10/13/06

ROME, GEORGIA MAN SENTENCED TO FEDERAL PRISON FOR MATERIAL SUPPORT OF FOREIGN TERRORIST GROUP 02/27/07

Islamic Charity Charged with Terrorist Financing; Former U.S. Congressman Indicted for Money Laundering FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 16, 2008

Federal Jury in Dallas Convicts Holy Land Foundation and Its Leaders for Providing Material Support to Hamas Terrorist Organization Monday, November 24, 2008

OIP Library – CVE Grant Program May 23, 2016

Case: United States v. Mohammad El-Mezain et al. (Holy Land Foundation) Court: United States Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit Date: December 7, 2011 (reviewed on January 13, 2012) No. 09-10560 (consolidated with others)

What is this document?

This is the final appellate ruling upholding the convictions in the largest terrorist financing trial in U.S. history. This is the second appeal following a first trial that ended in mistrial (2007) and a second trial in which all defendants were convicted (2008).

Defendants and charges

Main defendants:

• Shukri Abu Baker
• Ghassan Elashi
• Mohammad El-Mezain
• Mufid Abdulqader
• Abdulrahman Odeh
• Holy Land Foundation for Relief and Development (HLF) – the organization as an entity

Principal positions:

• Conspiracy and provision of material support to Hamas (18 U.S.C. § 2339B).
• Conspiracy and providing funds to a designated terrorist (50 U.S.C. §§ 1701-1706)
• Money laundering
• Asset forfeiture

The facts according to the Court

• HLF presented itself for decades as the largest Muslim charitable organization in the US.
• In fact, according to the evidence accepted by the jury and the Court, HLF was the financial arm of Hamas in the United States.
• It raised $56 million and sent at least $12.4 million to zakat (charitable) committees in the West Bank and Gaza that were controlled by Hamas.
• These committees served to win “hearts and minds” of the Palestinian population, support families of suicide bombers and free up resources for Hamas to focus on violent actions.
• The Hamas connection existed since the late 1980s (before Hamas was officially designated as terrorist in 1995-1997).
• Key evidence: secret meeting in Philadelphia (1993), documents seized from Infocom and from the homes of co-conspirators, videos of events glorifying Hamas, testimonies of protected witnesses and Israeli experts.

Court decision (most important)

The Court of Appeals AFFIRMS all five individuals’ convictions and their sentences (up to 65 years in prison for Baker and Elashi).

Dismisses the appeal of:

• HLF (for lack of jurisdiction)
• Attorney Nancy Hollander (for lack of jurisdiction)

The Court rejected all the appeal arguments presented:

• Use of pseudonyms by Israeli witnesses (Avi and Major Lior)
• Admission of hearsay (PA documents, Elbarasse/Ashqar, etc.)
• Rule 403 (prejudicial evidence)
• Expert testimonials
• Double jeopardy
• Search for HLF offices
• Jury instructions
• Sentences

Literal conclusion of the Court (p. 170):

“We conclude from our review of the record, briefs, and oral argument, that the defendants were fairly convicted…we AFFIRM the district court’s judgments of conviction of the individual defendants.”

It is the case that proves that CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood network in the United States were part of the same structure.

Historical significance

This ruling:

• He confirmed that supporting the “social wing” of Hamas (schools, hospitals, zakat committees) is tantamount to material support for terrorism.
• It is the key precedent cited in all subsequent cases against CAIR, Islamic Association for Palestine and other entities linked to the Muslim Brotherhood/Hamas.
• It showed that a Muslim “charity” in the U.S. can be the perfect front for funding terrorism.

This document is the ruling that closed the Holy Land Foundation case forever: five American Muslim leaders were convicted of using an alleged charitable organization to fund Hamas, and the Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals affirmed all in 2011.

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