White House Distances Itself from Islamic Group After Leader's Disturbing Support for Hamas Attacks

The White House is distancing itself from the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) after its leader, Nihad Awad, appeared to express support for Hamas' Oct. 7 terrorist attack against Israel. In a video that went viral on social media, Awad stated that he was "happy" to see Palestinians in Gaza "break the siege." The White House spokesperson condemned Awad's comments as "shocking" and "antisemitic," and announced the removal of CAIR from its publicly listed pledge to fight antisemitism. Awad claimed his remarks were taken out of context and condemned violence against all civilians, but the White House stands firm in its decision to distance itself from CAIR.