Senator John Cornyn of Texas has consistently expressed support for the American charity Global Islamic Relief, even after the State Department cut ties with it in 2021 due to concerns about terrorist affiliations and antisemitic remarks.
Despite the State Department’s worries regarding Islamic Relief on a global scale, Cornyn has praised the U.S. branch. An investigation by Fox News Digital revealed that he has appeared in two video messages and written two letters commending Islamic Relief USA for its humanitarian efforts. In a video from May 2021, he acknowledged their work, stating gratitude for “the humanitarian work of our friends at Islamic Relief USA.” A subsequent letter in 2022 reaffirmed his appreciation for their “humanitarian efforts in Texas and across our country.” He even referred to IRUSA as a “friend.”
It’s noteworthy that Cornyn is currently embroiled in a tight Senate primary runoff against Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton. Paxton has challenged Cornyn’s conservative stature, while Cornyn has countered by highlighting the corruption issues surrounding Paxton. Both candidates have positioned their campaigns against what they view as Islamic extremism.
Back in late 2025, Islamic Relief USA announced its decision to cut ties with Islamic Relief Worldwide, citing reputational damage from the parent organization’s actions.
Historically, leaders of both entities have been linked to the Muslim Brotherhood, which has exhibited hostility towards Jews, as revealed by social media posts and reports from the Middle East Forum. The U.S. government has classified certain branches of the Muslim Brotherhood as foreign terrorist organizations. The State Department previously condemned the glorification of violence and antisemitism among IRW’s leadership.
Several governments and financial institutions have severed connections with Islamic Relief Worldwide due to fears around terrorist financing. Khalid Ramada, a former president of Islamic Relief USA, allegedly circulated messages praising “Egyptian mujahideen” for their actions against the Jewish community, raising further concerns.
A collection of Republican lawmakers, including Sens. Ted Cruz and Chuck Grassley, have interacted with Islamic Relief following the State Department’s condemnation. For instance, Cruz and Grassley sent holiday greetings to the organization, while there were reports of staff meetings involving Islamic Relief representatives to discuss public health legislation.
In October 2025, Islamic Relief USA declared its split from Islamic Relief Worldwide, pointing specifically to allegations about the latter’s conduct adversely affecting its reputation. This complaint indicated that Islamic Relief Worldwide did not take protective measures that would mitigate risks to Islamic Relief USA.
Tax records show that Islamic Relief USA provided funding to the East Plano Islamic Center in Texas, which has been involved in local political controversies. Both Cornyn and Paxton have taken actions that impacted construction projects related to this community.
As the situation develops, it will be interesting to see how these dynamics play out amid Cornyn’s ongoing campaign and the controversies surrounding Islamic Relief.
