In public remarks made over the weekend at a Turning Point USA event, Tulsi Gabbard – the United States Director of National Intelligence – spoke about the American Muslim community and referenced what she described as the influence of “Islamic principles” in the United States. She claimed Muslims are working to impose ‘sharia law’ in American cities, including Paterson, New Jersey, and Houston, Texas, while clerics are trying to ‘recruit and radicalize young people.’

Her comments were widely circulated and drew responses from civil rights groups, political figures, and members of the public as Islamophobic. CAIR condemned the ‘mask-off’ remarks as ‘disqualifying and delusional’

Gabbard has previously stated that her criticism is aimed at “Islamism” rather than Islam as a religion.