This is no witch hunt

What do a military recruitment center in Baltimore, a Christmas tree lighting ceremony in Portland, and a smoking SUV in Times Square have in common? They were each locations targeted by American Muslims determined to inflict fear and kill fellow Americans. Homegrown Islamic terrorism poses a tremendous threat to the United States.

Anwar al-Awlaki, born in New Mexico, was the Muslim Chaplain at George Washington University and an Imam at a mosque in northern Virginia, before fleeing leaving the United States to could coordinate aid al-Qaeda's outreach to U.S. Muslims. Awlaki was in direct communication with the men arrested for the Ft. Hood shootings and Times Square Bombings. Remember the Underwear Bomber? Awlaki trained him. The parcel bombs were Awlaki's work too.

In a November article in Foreign Policy, author and research fellow Thomas Hegghammer described the U.S. born terror leader as "arguably the single most important individual behind the group's [al Qaeda on the Arabian Peninsula] efforts to carry out operations in the West." Awlaki is more than an ideologue. As Hegghammer points out, he is an organizer and a recruiter.

So when Rep. Peter King (R-NY) announced that as chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security, he will hold hearings on "radicalization of the American Muslim community and homegrown terrorism," how did the Council on American-Islamic Relations respond? CAIR calls the coming hearings a "witch hunt" that "is just going to further marginalize American Muslims and demonize Islam."

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Please note that in discussing political issues, candidates positions and political party statements, Jordan Sekulow is offering analysis in his individual capacity as lawyer and commentator. He is not speaking on behalf of the American Center for Law & Justice. The ACLJ does not endorse or oppose candidates for public office. Nothing contained in this article should be construed as the position of the ACLJ.