Hamas-Linked Scholar Picked As Trump’s Advisors, Do You know Who Are Ismail Royer And Shaykh Hamza
New Delhi : A man with a documented history of terrorism-related activities, including ties to terror groups Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT) and Al-Qaeda, and another individual facing terror-related allegations, have been appointed to the White House Advisory Board under the Donald Trump administration.
Ismail Royer, a former convict in terrorism cases, and Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, co-founder of California’s Zaytuna College, were named to the White House Advisory Board of Lay Leaders, raising concerns about the Trump administration’s vetting process for such appointments. Yusuf also has alleged links to terror organisations, including Hamas and, according to reports, he has been charged by India’s National Investigation Agency (NIA).
Royer, born Randall Todd Royer, is an American convert to Islam with a known history of involvement in militant Islamist networks. Loomer’s report claims he was associated with LeT, Egypt’s Muslim Brotherhood, the Palestinian group Hamas, and the so-called “Virginia Jihad Network.”
EXCLUSIVE:
🚨 Islamic JIHADIST who traveled to Pakistan to train in an Islamic terror camp and served a 20 year prison sentence in the US for Jihadi terrorist activities has now been listed as a member of the White House Advisory Board of Lay Leaders, Announced Today on the… pic.twitter.com/d1HHHGUFYX— Laura Loomer (@LauraLoomer) May 17, 2025
“A literal Muslim Brotherhood HAMAS jihadist named Ismail Royer who was found by the DOJ to have travelled to Pakistan to train in a terrorist camp and who was part of the Virginia Jihadi Network that trained Islamic terrorists to attack America & was investigated by the FBI is now on the White House Advisory Board of Lay Leaders that was ANNOUNCED TODAY!,” the journalist tweeted, sharing details of her findings.
In 2003, Royer was indicted on terrorism-related charges, including conspiracy to wage war against the United States and providing material support to al-Qaeda and Lashkar. He pleaded guilty in 2004 to aiding and abetting the use of firearms and explosives, and was sentenced to 20 years in prison. He served 13 years before being released in 2017. Court documents confirm his role in facilitating others’ access to LeT training camps and supporting Taliban operations.
Hamza Yusuf is a co-founder of Zaytuna College, which teaches Sharia Law. Reports suggest that Yusuf has downplayed the true definition of jihad and has alleged ties to the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas. Highlighting concerns regarding Yusuf’s past statements, the journalist pointed out that two days before the 9/11 attacks, Yusuf reportedly spoke at a fundraiser for Jamil al-Amin, who was on trial for the murder of a police officer.