A Controversial Trump Appointment to a White House Religious Freedom Advisory Board is Being Burght Into Renewed Focus AFTER REPORTES VERAFIED TWO Individuals with Previous ExTRE EXTREMITH Affiliations were appointed to the Board-Including one who admitted training with the terrorist organization lashkar-e-taiba (let) in pakistan.
Based on the washington post and independent reports, ismail royer, onche a jihadist who had spent 13 years in prison on terrorism-Related Convictions, WAS APPOINTED to the White House Comments Religious Freedom’s Advisory Board under the Trump Administration.
Royer was indicated in 2003 with conspiration to provide assistance to a Foreign Terrorist Group and Engaging in Jihadist activity, Including Support for Let and Al-Qaeda. Hepleaded Guilty in 2004 to Terrorism-Related Weapons Charges and was given a 20-year prison term, Serving 13 before he was released.
Royer’s Terror Connections and Rehabilitation
Royer confessed in previous interviews to visit a lashkar training facility in Pakistan in 2000, and subsely of Kashmiris.
“I liked the people in let,” Royer said in a 2023 interview with the middle East Forum. “It felt more like tourism than serial training. It was like, ‘Here, Shoot Some Guns, Explore the Mountains, And then Go Back Home.”
In spite of his history, the Trump Administration Advocated Royer’s Inclusion, Highlighting His Rehabilitation and Interfaith activities. He is presently the director of the Islam and Religious Freedom Action TEAM at the Religious Freedom Institute, where he works to Advance Peace and Religious Pluralism.
The White House Stated: “Since converting to islam in 1992, Royer has studied under traditional islamic scholars and worked for over a decade with nonprofit organizations to promot Freedom. ”
Another Controversial Pick: Hamza Yusuf
Also appointed to the board was shaykh hamza yusuf, co-founder of zaytuna college in california and well-known islamic scholar also renowned for his work in theology. His appointment was opposed by some right-waiting Critics, Including Activist Lara Loomer, a longtime supporter of President trump, who charged that yusuf haad allied himself with Ideologies and that bot appointments hurt us security interested.
Loomer Called Royer’s Appointment “Crazy,” Likeing It to Putting a “Reformed Bank Robber in charge of the federal reserve.”
Wider implications and responses
Whereas Some Critics Regard these appointments as a major blunder, others have referred to royer’s redemption and dedication to pushing back aganst extraemism throurth Deradicalization.
Nevertheless, The disclosures have raised questions Regarding Vetting Procedures and National Security Criteria in Advisory Appointments DURING DURING THE LAST Administration, with Renewed Calls for OPEN DISCLSURE Current White House Officials.
The biden administration has not commented on where any of these appointees stil hold association with Federal Commissions or Advisory Boards.