Trump’s Religious Freedom Board Includes Former Jihadists Linked to Lashkar-e-Taiba and al-Qaeda

Former Jihadist Associates with Lashkar-e-Taiba Appointed to Trump’s Religious Freedom Board, Stirring Controvers

In a move that has drawn sharp criticism, two former U.S. jihadist affiliates—one of whom trained with the Pakistan-based terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT)—have been appointed to a religious advisory board under former U.S. President Donald Trump. The appointments of Ismail Royer and Shaykh Hamza Yusuf to the White House Advisory Board of Lay Leaders have sparked outrage among right-wing circles, particularly from conservative commentator and Trump supporter Lara Loomer, who labeled the decision “insane” given their alleged extremist histories.

Who Are the Appointees?

Ismail Royer, once known as Rendell Royer, converted to Islam around the year 2000 and quickly became associated with radical ideologies. He traveled to Pakistan that same year and reportedly underwent militant training at a Lashkar-e-Taiba camp. According to court records, Royer was involved in combat operations targeting Indian forces in the Kashmir region, where LeT has long been active. His past caught up with him in 2003, when he was indicted in the United States for terrorism-related offenses tied to the so-called “Virginia Jihad Network.”

Royer pleaded guilty in 2004 to charges including conspiracy to assist terrorist activities and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. He served 13 years before being released. During his trial, the court learned that Royer had facilitated access to terrorist training camps for others, including arranging for a co-conspirator to receive instruction in the use of rocket-propelled grenades with the intention of targeting India.

Despite this history, Royer now holds a prominent position as the Director of the Islam and Religious Freedom Action Team at the Religious Freedom Institute, an organization that ostensibly promotes interfaith understanding and religious liberty.

Shaykh Hamza Yusuf’s Appointment Draws Skepticism

The second appointee, Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, is a well-known Islamic scholar and co-founder of Zaytuna College, the first accredited Muslim liberal arts college in the United States. While Yusuf has a long-standing reputation in theological and interfaith circles, his presence on the board has not gone without scrutiny.

Critics, particularly Lara Loomer, accuse Yusuf of misrepresenting the Islamic concept of jihad and maintaining ideological sympathies with groups such as the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas. Loomer alleged on social media that Yusuf has “lied about the definition of jihad” and claimed his academic institution “teaches Sharia Law,” which she sees as contradictory to American democratic values.

Zaytuna College, located in California, offers programs in Islamic theology, law, and philosophy. Yusuf is also an adviser at Berkeley’s Graduate Theological Union, indicating his integration within the American academic landscape. Yet, his appointment alongside someone like Royer has intensified the backlash, suggesting a troubling normalization of figures with controversial pasts in influential positions.

What Is Lashkar-e-Taiba?

Lashkar-e-Taiba is a designated terrorist organization based in Pakistan, known for carrying out deadly attacks in India, including the 2008 Mumbai attacks that claimed over 170 lives. The group has historically received backing from elements within Pakistan’s intelligence community and has operated training camps aimed at preparing militants for jihadist missions, particularly in Kashmir.

The fact that Royer was not only trained at an LeT facility but also actively facilitated others to join such operations poses significant concerns regarding his judgment and ideological transformation. Critics argue that even if Royer has since reformed, the decision to place someone with such a history on a government advisory board is deeply problematic.

National Security Concerns and Political Backlash

The appointments have reignited debates about national security, ideological vetting, and the standards applied to individuals in advisory roles—especially those tied to religious or ideological extremism. Loomer, who has gained influence in Trump’s political circles, publicly condemned the inclusion of Royer and Yusuf, suggesting it represented a dangerous infiltration of extremist elements into American institutions.

She also emphasized Royer’s earlier indictment by the FBI, which included charges such as conspiracy to wage war against the United States and providing material support to terrorist groups including al-Qaida and LeT. While Royer has served his sentence and now operates in a religious advocacy capacity, critics remain skeptical about the authenticity of his transformation.

Loomer’s outspoken opposition has previously led to policy reversals within Trump’s orbit, including the dismissal of former National Security Adviser Mike Waltz. Her current campaign against Royer and Yusuf’s appointments could similarly affect the standing of the board and raise calls for more stringent background checks for those selected to influence federal policy on religious matters.

Conclusion

While the White House’s intention may have been to include diverse voices in discussions on religious freedom, the inclusion of individuals with ties—however distant or reformed—to extremist groups like Lashkar-e-Taiba has sparked a storm of controversy. The debate now centers on whether people with radical pasts can truly rehabilitate and be entrusted with public advisory roles, or whether such appointments compromise national security and the credibility of the institutions they are meant to support.

The controversy underscores a growing tension in the United States about how to handle former extremists: should they be excluded indefinitely, or welcomed back if they appear to have reformed? As the political fallout continues, the decisions surrounding Royer and Yusuf’s roles remain under intense scrutiny.