California Democrat Hosts CAIR Leader Who Said ‘Israel Should Be Attacked’

Leaders at the Council on American-Islamic Relations have touted the pro-Hamas group's role in electing Democratic Rep. Derek Tran (Calif.) over a pro-Israel Republican in 2024. Now, Tran is giving the controversial group its own boost, hosting a group of CAIR leaders—including one who said "Israel should be attacked"—at his offices on Capitol Hill.

Tran hosted Hussam Ayloush, the executive director of CAIR's Los Angeles chapter, last week as part of "Muslim Advocacy Day," an annual lobbying event organized by CAIR and other Islamist organizations.

"Proud to welcome folks from the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) for an important conversation about fighting Islamophobia and defending civil rights for every member of our community," said Tran, who posted a photo with CAIR members and a keffiyah-clad Ayloush.

"In a short time, Rep. Derek Tran has earned the respect of many in his district," Ayloush wrote after the meeting.

Tran's coziness with CAIR and Ayloush could create a political vulnerability as he seeks a second term in his toss-up district. Tran, whose district encompasses Orange County and parts of Los Angeles County, is considered one of the most vulnerable House Democrats up for reelection. He won his 2024 race against Republican Michelle Steel by just 653 votes, the smallest margin of victory of the cycle.

Ayloush has an extensive history of anti-Israel rhetoric. After Oct. 7, he preached at a California mosque that it was a "myth" that "Israel has the right to defend itself."

"An occupier never has the right to defend itself," Ayloush said at a Nov. 12, 2023, event at the Islamic Society of Orange County. "Israel should be attacked," he continued. "You want to pick up arms and defend your people and your land, that is a legitimate right."

In 2015, after two Islamic fundamentalists murdered 14 people in San Bernardino, Ayloush said the West was "partly responsible" for the rise in Islamic terrorism.

That rhetoric is consistent with other leaders at CAIR, which was named an unindicted co-conspirator of a Hamas front group, the Holy Land Foundation, in 2008. In November 2023, CAIR's executive director, Nihad Awad, said he was "happy to see" Hamas attack Israel on Oct. 7. Awad added that "Israel does not have a right to defend itself."

CAIR takes credit for much of Tran's political success.

CAIR Action, the political and lobbying arm of CAIR, spent heavily in support of Tran in 2024 in hopes of ousting Steel, who was supported by the American Israel Public Affairs Committee.

Basim Elkarra, the head of CAIR Action, bragged last year about helping elect Tran and touted his group's efforts as a roadmap for the Islamic group's future political operations, the Washington Free Beacon reported. Elkarra praised CAIR's super PAC, the Unity & Justice Fund, for making "independent expenditures" supporting Tran's campaign. CAIR Action issued a statement after Tran's victory in 2024, touting 50,000 text messages that the Unity & Justice Fund sent in support of Tran.

"You'll see in the midterm elections," Elkarra said of the 2026 races. "We'll make even more history."

Tran, who was a personal injury attorney before Congress, has been in ideological sync with CAIR so far in his short political career. CAIR Los Angeles issued "thank you" letters to Tran in December 2025 for co-sponsoring the "Block the Bombs Act," a bill to block U.S. defense assistance to Israel. CAIR Los Angeles praised Tran for a July 2025 House floor speech in which he accused Israel of slaughtering Palestinian refugees seeking humanitarian aid, an allegation that Israel denies.

"Thank Rep. Tran for his principled stance in speaking out against the senseless killing of Palestinian civilians," CAIR Los Angeles said in an "action letter" to supporters.

Tran's campaign did not respond to a request for comment.

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