Controversial Picks? Ex-Jihadists With Terror Group Hyperlinks Appointed To Trumps Non secular Freedom Board
A controversial Trump appointment to a White Home non secular freedom advisory board is being introduced into renewed focus after studies verified that two people with earlier extremist affiliations have been appointed to the board — together with one who admitted coaching with the terrorist organisation Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) in Pakistan.
Based mostly on The Washington Put up and unbiased studies, Ismail Royer, as soon as a jihadist who had spent 13 years in jail on terrorism-related convictions, was appointed to the White Home Fee on Non secular Freedom’s Advisory Board below the Trump administration.
Royer was indicted in 2003 with conspiring to offer help to a overseas terrorist group and interesting in jihadist exercise, together with assist for LeT and Al-Qaeda. He pleaded responsible in 2004 to terrorism-related weapons prices and was given a 20-year jail time period, serving 13 earlier than he was launched.
Royer’s Terror Connections And Rehabilitation
Royer confessed in earlier interviews to visiting a Lashkar coaching facility in Pakistan in 2000, and subsequently urging different US-based Muslims to affix the organisation within the identify of spiritual obligation and in assist of Kashmiris.
“I appreciated the folks in LeT,” Royer stated in a 2023 interview with the Center East Discussion board. “It felt extra like tourism than severe coaching. It was like, ‘Right here, shoot some weapons, discover the mountains, after which return residence.'”
Despite his historical past, the Trump administration advocated Royer’s inclusion, highlighting his rehabilitation and interfaith actions. He’s presently the Director of the Islam and Non secular Freedom Motion Staff on the Non secular Freedom Institute, the place he works to advance peace and non secular pluralism.
The White Home acknowledged: “Since changing to Islam in 1992, Royer has studied below conventional Islamic students and labored for over a decade with nonprofit organisations to advertise interfaith concord and non secular freedom.”
One other Controversial Choose: Hamza Yusuf
Additionally appointed to the board was Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, co-founder of Zaytuna School in California and well-known Islamic scholar famend for his work in theology. His appointment was opposed by some right-wing critics, together with activist Lara Loomer, a longtime supporter of President Trump, who charged that Yusuf had allied himself with Islamist ideologies and that each appointments damage U.S. safety pursuits.
Loomer referred to as Royer’s appointment “loopy,” likening it to placing a “reformed financial institution robber in control of the Federal Reserve.”
Wider Implications And Responses
Whereas some critics regard these appointments as a significant blunder, others have referred to Royer’s redemption and dedication to pushing again towards extremism by way of non secular engagement for instance of deradicalisation.
Nonetheless, the disclosures have raised questions concerning vetting procedures and nationwide safety standards in advisory appointments over the past administration, with renewed requires open disclosure by present White Home officers.
The Biden administration has not commented on whether or not any of those appointees nonetheless maintain affiliation with federal commissions or advisory boards.
