Florida Governor Ron DeSantis on Monday designated one of the nation’s most prominent Muslim civil rights and advocacy groups, the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), as a “foreign terrorist organization.” The move, executed via an executive order posted on social media, also applied the same label to the Muslim Brotherhood. This designation is a dramatic escalation in state-level actions against the groups, following a similar move by the Governor of Texas last month.
The order, which went into effect immediately, directs Florida state executive and cabinet agencies to take all lawful measures to prevent the two organizations and anyone providing them with material support from receiving contracts, employment, or funds. This effectively severs the groups and their affiliates from state resources and employment opportunities, a severe blow to their operational capacity within the state.
CAIR, founded in 1994 and with 25 chapters across the United States, immediately condemned the proclamation. In a joint statement, the national organization and its Florida chapter announced their plans to file a lawsuit against Governor DeSantis, calling the order “unconstitutional” and “defamatory.” The group asserts that the designation is a political stunt aimed at silencing critics of the governor’s Middle East policies and lacks any factual or legal basis.
Crucially, neither CAIR nor the Muslim Brotherhood is designated as a foreign terrorist organization by the U.S. federal government. CAIR has historically described its mission as protecting civil rights, enhancing understanding of Islam, promoting justice, and empowering American Muslims, and it has consistently condemned acts of terrorism. The Muslim Brotherhood, established nearly a century ago in Egypt, maintains that it renounced violence decades ago and seeks political change through peaceful, electoral means, though it is viewed by critics, including autocratic governments in the Middle East, as a threat.
The Florida executive order cites a past designation of CAIR as an unindicted co-conspirator in a defunct terrorism-financing case from the early 2000s—an allegation CAIR has long disputed and that never resulted in criminal charges. The group’s legal defense fund is already involved in a federal lawsuit challenging a similar proclamation issued by the Governor of Texas, indicating that a significant legal battle over the state’s authority to make such independent terror designations is now brewing in two major states. Civil liberties advocates nationwide are closely monitoring the developments, warning that the state-level designations risk undermining constitutional rights and fueling anti-Muslim sentiment.
Sources and Links
- Associated Press: Florida governor declares Muslim civil rights group a terrorist organization
- Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) Press Release: BREAKING: CAIR, CAIR-Florida Tell Ron DeSantis ‘See You in Court’ After Unconstitutional and Defamatory ‘Israel First Political Stunt’
- Texas Governor’s Office: Governor Abbott Designates Muslim Brotherhood, CAIR As Foreign Terrorist Organizations
Disclaimer
Artificial Intelligence Disclosure & Legal Disclaimer
AI Content Policy.
To provide our readers with timely and comprehensive coverage, South Florida Reporter uses artificial intelligence (AI) to assist in producing certain articles and visual content.
Articles: AI may be used to assist in research, structural drafting, or data analysis. All AI-assisted text is reviewed and edited by our team to ensure accuracy and adherence to our editorial standards.
Images: Any imagery generated or significantly altered by AI is clearly marked with a disclaimer or watermark to distinguish it from traditional photography or editorial illustrations.
General Disclaimer
The information contained in South Florida Reporter is for general information purposes only.
South Florida Reporter assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions in the contents of the Service. In no event shall South Florida Reporter be liable for any special, direct, indirect, consequential, or incidental damages or any damages whatsoever, whether in an action of contract, negligence or other tort, arising out of or in connection with the use of the Service or the contents of the Service.
The Company reserves the right to make additions, deletions, or modifications to the contents of the Service at any time without prior notice. The Company does not warrant that the Service is free of viruses or other harmful components.
 and Muslim Brotherhood, denying them state funds and contracts.){kind=link}