Indiana AG probes CAIR and SJP over potential terror ties

Indiana Attorney General Todd Rokita opened investigations into the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and National Students for Justice in Palestine (SJP) on October 7, the third anniversary of Hamas's attack on Israel, WBIW reported. Rokita said, "I am investigating organizations that may have given aid and support to Hamas in the wake of the October 7 attack¹."

His office issued civil investigative demands seeking documents and communications about what the groups did in the wake of the attack. The demands also seek records on the groups' ties to other groups and individuals with known connections to terrorists¹. The Federalist reported that those demands are the first step in the process that could lead to a terrorist-affiliate designation under Indiana's new law².

“I am investigating organizations that may have given aid and support to Hamas in the wake of the October 7 attack”

That law took effect in July and lets the attorney general open a civil investigation when he has reasonable cause to believe an entity may be affiliated with a foreign terrorist organization². After investigating, Rokita prepares a written determination, and if he finds an organization is a terrorist affiliate, he gives it 30 days to respond. He then sends the determination, the supporting evidence and the response to Gov. Mike Braun, who decides whether to formally designate the group¹.

A designated affiliate is denied state funds, contracts, tax benefits and other state privileges¹. WFIU reported that SJP members could also become ineligible for grants or loans from public universities³. For students and families, that is the stake: an investigation starts the process, and the loss of state benefits depends on the governor's later designation.

30 days

CAIR Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell answered the investigation by accusing Rokita of "abusing his power to target a civil rights organization with a publicity stunt²."

Rokita's use of civil investigative demands has already met resistance in federal court. Judge Tanya Pratt ruled that Exodus was likely to succeed in arguing that its speech about a planned federal immigration operation in Bloomington was constitutionally protected⁴. That case involved Exodus, not CAIR or SJP, and it was a different investigation.

Each organization will be given a full opportunity to respond to Rokita's questions before any further action is taken. The step to watch is the governor's decision on designation, which determines whether the groups lose state benefits¹.

Sources

1. Attorney General Todd Rokita opens investigations of CAIR and Students for Justice in Palestine over possible affiliation with foreign terrorists | WBIW
2. Indiana Probes Islamist-Aligned Groups For Potential Terror Ties
3. Attorney General investigating campus pro-Palestine group
4. AG Rokita’s use of civil subpoenas takes another hit, this time from a federal judge