AUSTIN, Texas — Texas Gov. Greg Abbott has intensified his criticism of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) by urging Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton to revoke CAIR Texas' nonprofit status and halt its operations in the state on Wednesday.

Abbott accuses the organization of spreading "radical Islam" and had previously designated it as a foreign terrorist organization last year.

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In a letter to Paxton, Abbott stated:

"Voluminous documents detail the dangers posed to Texans by the Muslim Brotherhood, CAIR, and their affiliates." He emphasized that CAIR "cannot be allowed to use its 'nonprofit' status as a shield for sponsoring terror, advancing radical Islamism in Texas, or fronting for the Muslim Brotherhood."

Abbott's letter also highlighted concerns about CAIR's ties to the Muslim Brotherhood and its alleged support for terrorist groups like Hamas. He called on Paxton to use his authority to investigate and potentially strip CAIR of its nonprofit status, citing Texas law that empowers the attorney general to regulate nonprofits that may be violating the law.

CAIR, which advocates for civil rights for American Muslims, dismissed Abbott's actions as a "desperate move" and accused him of targeting Muslim institutions due to their stance against Israel's actions in Gaza.

In a statement to CBS Austin, CAIR Texas said:

"The people of Texas elected Greg Abbott to serve them, not to serve the Israeli government. Yet Governor Abbott keeps wasting taxpayer dollars on his obsession with smearing Texas Muslim institutions because they opposed Israel's genocide in Gaza."

The organization also noted that Attorney General Paxton had previously declared that Abbott's proclamation does not apply to CAIR-Texas, which they believe explains Abbott's recent actions. CAIR-Texas remains focused on protecting free speech, religious freedom, and civil rights for all Texans.