The Michigan chapter of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR-MI) today welcomed federal charges against an Alaska man accused of making threats to injure and murder Dearborn Mayor Abdullah Hammoud and issuing violent, Islamophobic threats against Muslims.
James Lawhorn, 54, of Wasilla, Alaska, is charged with seven counts of making threats in interstate commerce and one count of stalking. According to authorities, the threats included: “All Muslims must now die in America because of this f***ing f*g. No sleep until he is in the dirt along with all his scum family and friends and Muslims.”
In a statement, CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid said:
“We welcome these charges and commend federal law enforcement authorities for taking these alleged threats seriously. Threats targeting an elected official because of his faith, coupled with calls for violence against an entire religious community, are deeply disturbing and must be met with the full force of the law.
“American Muslims should not have to fear that serving their communities, holding public office, or simply practicing their faith will make them targets of violence. We urge authorities to continue thoroughly investigating this case and to ensure that anyone responsible for making credible threats is held accountable.
“The alleged threats against Mayor Hammoud are especially troubling in the context of the broader rise in anti-Muslim incidents we are seeing across the country. Law enforcement agencies at every level must recognize the potential for hateful rhetoric to escalate into violence and must act promptly when threats are reported.”
He noted that earlier today, Washington, D.C.-based CAIR called on local, state and federal law enforcement authorities to investigate an allegedly bias-motivated spitting attack on a Muslim woman in Kentucky as a hate crime.
Yesterday, CAIR’s Florida chapter welcomed charges for an alleged plot to carry out a mass shooting at a mosque.
CAIR’s latest civil rights report documented 8,683 anti-Muslim bias complaints in 2025 – the highest number ever recorded by the organization since it began publishing civil rights reports in 1996.
CAIR’s mission is to protect civil rights, enhance understanding of Islam, promote justice, and empower American Muslims.
La misión de CAIR es proteger las libertades civiles, mejorar la comprensión del Islam, promover la justicia, y empoderar a los musulmanes en los Estados Unidos.
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CONTACT: CAIR-MI Executive Director Dawud Walid, 248-842-1418, [email protected]; CAIR Lead Staff Attorney Amy Doukoure, 586-943-8823, [email protected]