Constituents of diverse faiths and backgrounds sent over 3,100 letters to demand accountability
The Maryland office of the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization, today announced that it has filed a formal ethics complaint with the Maryland General Assembly’s Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics (JCLE) against four Maryland state legislators who chose to participate in the controversial “50 States One Israel” propaganda trip as the United Nations concluded that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
The filing comes amid a groundswell of public concern. In only the past 48 hours, constituents of diverse faiths and backgrounds have sent over 3,100 letters to JCLE demanding accountability.
CAIR’s complaint, addressed to JCLE members, calls for an immediate investigation into the actions of Sen. Cheryl Kagan (D), Rep. Nic Kipke (R), Sen. Mike McKay (R), and Sen. Johnny Ray Salling (R). It argues that their participation raises serious concerns under Maryland’s Public Ethics Law, particularly as the trip coincided with the United Nations’ official determination that Israel is committing genocide in Gaza.
SEE: UN Commission: Israel has committed genocide in the Gaza Strip
SEE: Maryland Public Ethics Law Guide
The complaint cites potential violations including:
- Conflicts of Interest (§ 5-512(b)) – Impairment of impartiality through participation in a foreign-government-sponsored trip.
- Presumption of Conflict (§ 5-512(c)) – Failure to file disclaimers if benefits were received.
- Acceptance of Gifts (§ 5-505) – Prohibition against accepting subsidized travel from entities with legislative interests.
- Use of Prestige of Office (§ 5-506) – Lending the credibility of elected office to a foreign government facing genocide findings.
In addition, CAIR has requested an investigation into allegations from constituents that Sen. Kagan has reportedly repeatedly declined to address Islamophobia and anti-Palestinian bias in her district.
“This matter is not about partisanship — it’s about ethics and accountability,” said CAIR’s Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry. “Marylanders must be able to trust that their elected officials are acting free from undue foreign influence, particularly when that influence is tied to governments found guilty of committing genocide and crimes against humanity. The committee has a responsibility to uphold the law and preserve public trust.”
CAIR-Maryland is calling on JCLE to:
- Investigate whether prohibited gifts or travel benefits were accepted.
- Review whether required disclaimers were filed.
- Issue an advisory opinion clarifying whether participation in foreign-government delegations to states found guilty of genocide is consistent with Maryland ethics requirements.
- Establish clearer guidelines to prevent future conflicts of interest.
CAIR emphasized that the credibility of Maryland’s legislative body and institutions depends on the public’s confidence that lawmakers will not place personal or foreign interests above their duty to constituents.
The Joint Committee on Legislative Ethics (JCLE) is tasked with enforcing the state’s Public Ethics Law, providing advisory opinions, and reviewing conflicts of interest in legislative matters. Constituents rely on this body to help ensure lawmakers are held to the highest standards.
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 Maryland Director Zainab Chaudry, zchaudry@cair.com, 410-971-6062; CAIR National Deputy Director Edward Ahmed Mitchell, 404-285-9530, e-Mitchell@cair.com; CAIR Government Affairs Director Robert McCaw, 202-742-6448, rmccaw@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Director Ibrahim Hooper, 202-744-7726, ihooper@cair.com; CAIR National Communications Manager Ismail Allison, 202-770-6280, iallison@cair.com