Center for Security Policy

OVERVIEW

The Center for Security Policy (CSP) is a far-right, Washington, D.C.-based think tank founded in 1988 by Frank Gaffney Jr., a former Acting Assistant Secretary of Defense under Reagan. The SPLC has designated CSP as an anti-Muslim hate group, citing Gaffney's promotion of conspiracy theories about Muslim infiltration of the U.S. government. CSP's influence peaked during the Trump administration, with several personnel connections to the White House.

KEY FIGURES

Frank Gaffney Jr. (Founder/President) — Has promoted conspiracy theories including the claim that President Obama was secretly Muslim and that mainstream Muslim-American civil rights organizations are Muslim Brotherhood front groups. Was banned from CPAC after accusing conservative activist Grover Norquist of being a Brotherhood agent.

Lt. Gen. Michael Flynn — Received CSP's "Keeper of the Flame" award in 2014 before becoming Trump's National Security Advisor.

James Woolsey — Former CIA Director, served on CSP's board.

Fred Fleitz — CSP Senior VP who later served as NSC Chief of Staff under Bolton (2018).

FUNDING & FINANCES

CSP is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit with annual revenues of approximately $3-5 million. Documented funders include Donors Capital Fund / Donors Trust, the Abstraction Fund (Rosenwald family), Fairbrook Foundation, and historically the Richard Scaife foundations. Gaffney's compensation as president has typically been in the range of $300,000-$400,000+.

THE "MUSLIM BROTHERHOOD CONSPIRACY" THEORY

CSP's central thesis, articulated in "Shariah: The Threat to America" (2010), claims the Muslim Brotherhood is engaged in a long-term covert campaign of "civilization jihad" to infiltrate American institutions. CSP alleges mainstream organizations including CAIR and ISNA are Brotherhood front groups. Scholars and national security experts across the political spectrum have criticized this framework as conspiratorial.

TRUMP ADMINISTRATION INFLUENCE

• Trump directly cited a CSP-commissioned poll during his December 2015 call for a ban on Muslim entry to the United States — a poll widely criticized by experts for biased methodology
• The "Muslim ban" executive orders aligned with CSP policy positions
• Steve Bannon appeared on Gaffney's radio program multiple times; Gaffney participated in transition team meetings
• Fred Fleitz moved from CSP Senior VP to NSC Chief of Staff
• CSP pushed for Muslim Brotherhood terrorist designation (not enacted)

NETWORK CONNECTIONS

• ACT for America — Shared speakers, events, and audiences
• David Horowitz Freedom Center — Ideological alignment
• Gatestone Institute — Funding and personnel overlap
• Unconstrained Analytics — Stephen Coughlin serves as CSP Senior Fellow
• The United West — Tom Trento co-authored CSP's Shariah report

DESIGNATIONS

• SPLC: Designated as an anti-Muslim hate group
• ADL: Describes Gaffney as promoting conspiracy theories; has criticized specific CSP claims