RFK Jr. Calls for HHS Probe into CAIR Amid Anti-Muslim Rhetoric

HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. posted on X that HHS will act if evidence shows fraud, abuse, or ties to designated terrorist groups by Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and its California and Washington affiliates. The post followed Rep. Chip Roy’s (R-TX) request to investigate alleged misuse of federal grant money for Afghan refugees.

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Anti-Muslim rhetoric rose during 2026 midterms. In December, Gov. Ron DeSantis (FL) and Gov. Greg Abbott (TX) labeled CAIR a “foreign terrorist organization.” Rep. Andy Ogles (R-TN) posted that “Muslims don’t belong in American society.” ISPU researcher Saher Selod said such rhetoric spikes in election cycles, while UC-Berkeley lecturer Hatem Baizan argued administration need not prove claims to smear CAIR.

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CAIR national has never received HHS funds. CAIR California and CAIR Washington, each overseen by independent boards, have been awarded federal health dollars to provide legal services to Afghan refugees. Both affiliates say the grants were vetted by state and federal authorities and used in compliance with legal obligations.

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• Early–mid June 2026: Rep. Chip Roy asks Kennedy to probe CAIR; Kennedy tweets HHS will act on fraud or terrorist ties.

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• Late June–early July 2026: OCR director Paula Stannard replies to CAIR California with an “amicable” letter; Kennedy posts HHS is investigating CAIR national, California, and Washington, no subpoena.

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HHS OCR emphasized its mandate to protect Americans from discrimination, noting policies “continue to protect all Americans from unlawful discrimination.” CAIR national deputy director Edward Ahmed Mitchell said CAIR received no formal HHS communication. CAIR California executive director Hussam Ayloush called probe an effort to “smear and silence” Muslim voices. CAIR Washington executive director Imraan Siddiqi called allegations a “convenient line of attack.” Rep. Chip Roy thanked Kennedy for pursuing alleged ties to Hamas and Muslim Brotherhood.

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CAIR affiliates say they have not received any subpoena or formal notice, while Kennedy’s posts suggest an active probe. No evidence of HHS funding to CAIR national has been shown, and the exact nature of the alleged grant misuse remains undefined.

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• “If there is evidence of fraud, abuse, or ties to designated terrorist organizations, we will act.” — Robert F. Kennedy Jr., HHS Secretary

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• “They won’t get anything out of an investigation.” — Hussam Ayloush, CAIR California executive director

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• “No subpoenas, no nothing at all, just this shot across the bow in the court of public opinion.” — Edward Ahmed Mitchell, CAIR national deputy director

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• “During election cycles we see the ramping-up of this type of anti-Muslim rhetoric.” — Saher Selod, ISPU director of research

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Congress may seek clarification of the grant-funding process, and the issue is likely to appear in midterm campaign narratives.

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