Rep. Derek Tran is facing backlash for hosting CAIR leaders on Capitol Hill
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The California Democrat is facing backlash after hosting a group affiliated with Hamas at his Capitol Hill office last week.
Attorney Derek Tran welcomed a group of leaders from the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as part of “National Muslim Advocacy Day,” an annual lobbying event organized by Muslim advocacy groups.
CAIR, the largest human rights organization in the Muslim world, was recently designated a terrorist organization by the states of Texas and Florida following allegations that the group supports funding for Hamas. The group has since filed defamation lawsuits against governors Greg Abbott and Ron DeSantis.
Among those present Wednesday was Hussam Ayloush, executive director of CAIR's Los Angeles chapter, who has previously been criticized for comments about Israel, including a previous statement in which he said “Israel must be attacked.”
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Congressman Derek Tran stands next to CAIR leaders during National Muslim Advocacy Day 2026. (@RepDerekTranCA/X)
“We are proud to welcome the people of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) for an important discussion about combating Islamophobia and protecting the civil rights of all members of our community,” Tran said in a post on X Wednesday.
“In a short time, Rep. Derek Tran has earned the respect of many in his district,” Ayloush said in another post.
Social media users quickly flooded Tran's post, criticizing her support for CAIR.
“Terrorists are hosting for real,” said one user.
The event comes after CAIR said it helped boost Tran's bid for the seat representing parts of Orange County and Los Angeles County to his 2024 victory over Republican Michelle Steel.
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Congressman Derek Tran speaks during an event in Buena Park, CA on Monday, March 9, 2026. (Paul Bersebach/MediaNews Group/Orange County Register via Getty Images)
CAIR has long been accused of taking anti-Israel positions.
After the attack on Oct. 7 Hamas against Israel, CAIR leader in Los Angeles Ayloush said it was a myth that Israel had the right to defend itself.
“A resident never has the right to defend himself,” Ayloush said at the 2023 event at the Islamic Society of Orange County. “The only ones who have the right to defend themselves are those who are attacked, in this case, the Palestinian people.”
“Israel must be attacked,” he added. “If you continue to take people's land all the ways according to international law to protect and resist the work is in your hands.”
Hussam Ayloush, executive director of CAIR, speaks during a press conference. (Marc Martin/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
Other leaders at CAIR echoed similar messages.
CAIR's executive director, Nihad Awad, reportedly applauded the October 7 attack, according to the non-profit Middle East Media and Research Institute (MEMRI).
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“I was happy to see the people of Gaza end the siege on October 7,” he said. “They won. The people of Gaza have the right to defend themselves. Israel does not.”
In 2007, CAIR was named as a co-conspirator in the Holy Land Foundation (HLF) case, in which five HLF members were convicted of conspiring to embezzle $12.4 million from Hamas in the early 2000s.
