America’s foremost Muslim civil rights organization has demanded the resignation of National Intelligence Director Tulsi Gabbard following her controversial characterization of Sharia law as the nation’s paramount security threat. The Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) condemned Gabbard’s weekend remarks as “delusional and disqualifying” for an intelligence official tasked with objective analysis.
Speaking at the conservative Turning Point USA’s AmericaFest summit, Gabbard asserted that “Islamist ideology” represents the most significant near and long-term danger to American freedoms and security. She claimed this ideology fundamentally contradicts constitutional principles and seeks to establish a global caliphate that would govern Americans. Her comments received enthusiastic applause from thousands of attendees despite growing concerns within conservative circles about anti-Muslim rhetoric.
The controversy intersects with broader geopolitical dynamics. Earlier this year, an Israeli government-commissioned study suggested rehabilitating Israel’s image by emphasizing fears of “radical Islam” and “jihadism” following Gaza conflict criticisms. CAIR’s Monday statement emphasized that Gabbard’s role requires factual, apolitical intelligence assessment rather than spreading what they termed “bigoted conspiracy theories.”
Gabbard specifically singled out Muslim-majority communities in Dearborn, Michigan; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Paterson, New Jersey, alleging Islamist clerics were actively radicalizing youth. She further accused CAIR of advocating for Sharia law implementation through American legal systems—a claim immediately denied by the organization’s Washington headquarters.
Local Muslim leaders expressed frustration with what they perceive as systematic vilification. Selaedin Maksut, executive director of CAIR’s Paterson office, described community numbness to ongoing harassment and noted the irony of being characterized as threatening while engaging in standard civil rights advocacy.
The remarks drew sharp rebukes from New Jersey’s Democratic leadership. Senator Cory Booker, despite his pro-Israel stance, condemned Gabbard’s comments as “dishonest, cruel and un-American” on social media platform X, warning they endangered entire communities. Senator Andy Kim similarly criticized the divisive rhetoric, asserting Muslim Americans’ integral role in society.