The Muslim Brotherhood connections of Americans for Tax Reform (ATR) founder Grover Norquist are well-documented. Frank Gaffney of the Center for Security Policy provides a firsthand account of these ties. From 1999 to 2006, Gaffney sublet office space from ATR, during which he observed extensive connections between Norquist and the Islamic Institute, suggesting a deep relationship with the Muslim Brotherhood.
Norquist’s wife, Samah Alrayyes-Norquist, a Palestinian, has a long history with USAID, holding a top position at the agency for at least 20 years. Before her tenure at USAID, she served as the communications director at her husband’s Islamic Institute. By 2005, she was the Public Affairs Specialist for Arab and Muslim outreach at USAID’s Bureau of Legislative and Public Affairs. She remained at USAID until January 2021, according to her LinkedIn profile. In 2020, she was appointed Chief Advisor to the Administrator for International Religious Freedom at USAID.
Alrayyes-Norquist’s decades-long career at USAID, an agency criticized for its wasteful spending, coincided with her marriage to Grover Norquist, a prominent figure in tax reform advocacy. In 2013, the couple attended the American Task Force on Palestine (ATFP) gala as part of the Honorary Host Committee. Also in attendance was Suhail Kahn, who has his own extensive ties to the Muslim Brotherhood.
Kahn, who sat at the Norquist table during the event, has supported controversial initiatives such as the Ground Zero mosque and has worked closely with organizations like the Council on American Islamic Relations (CAIR), another Muslim Brotherhood front group. Kahn’s father founded the Islamic Society of North America (ISNA), a known Muslim Brotherhood affiliate, and Kahn himself has spoken at ISNA events.
Further revelations include $8 million in taxpayer funds being allocated to POLITICO, sparking criticism from other media outlets like Yahoo News, CNN, and The Dispatch, which have defended POLITICO. The New York Times dismissed concerns about government funding for an independent news entity as a “conspiracy theory.” However, critics argue that such funding creates a conflict of interest, undermining the independence of the press.
The article highlights the broader issue of taxpayer dollars being used to influence media and institutions, raising questions about transparency and accountability. As former Rep. Jim Renacci notes, “When you overturn large rocks, you’re likely to see many things you didn’t expect to find.”
Jim Renacci is a former U.S. Congressman, businessman, and conservative leader dedicated to putting America first.
