Ex-Jihadists with Terror Links Join Trump-Era Religious Freedom Board

Two men who were once involved in terrorist groups have been chosen to serve on a U.S. government advisory board for religious freedom.

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• Ismail Royer, who previously helped people join the Pakistani terrorist group Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), was jailed in 2004 and served 13 years. He is now part of a religious freedom organization and claims he has changed.

• Shaykh Hamza Yusuf, a respected Islamic scholar, is also on the board. Some critics have raised concerns about his past statements and alleged connections to groups like the Muslim Brotherhood.

The advisory board is made up of people from different faiths and backgrounds. Supporters say that former extremists can help stop radicalization, but others worry about national security and question why they were chosen.