Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued an executive order Monday designating the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as a foreign terrorist organization.
The directive, which DeSantis declared “effective immediately,” targets both CAIR—the nation’s largest Muslim civil rights and advocacy organization—and the Muslim Brotherhood. The move places Florida in lockstep with Texas, where Governor Greg Abbott issued a similar controversial order in November.
In a statement released on X, DeSantis ordered Florida agencies to “undertake all lawful measures to prevent unlawful activities by these organizations.” This includes stripping privileges and cutting off state resources to any entity providing material support to the groups.
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The Governor’s order alleges that CAIR was “founded by persons connected to the Muslim Brotherhood,” a transnational Islamist organization formed in 1928. DeSantis explicitly linked the Brotherhood to Hamas and the October 7, 2023, attacks on Israel.
However, neither CAIR nor the Muslim Brotherhood appears on the U.S. federal government’s official list of designated Foreign Terrorist Organizations (FTOs)—a classification historically managed by federal intelligence and state departments, rather than state governors.
CAIR Promises Legal Battle
CAIR immediately condemned the designation, labeling it an unconstitutional “stunt” intended to suppress political dissent. In a joint statement, the organization’s national and Florida chapters accused DeSantis of signing a “defamatory… order baselessly smearing” the group.
“Governor DeSantis knows full well that CAIR-Florida is an American civil rights organization that has spent decades advancing free speech, religious freedom and justice for all,” the statement read.
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The group vehemently denied any links to terrorism, citing a 30-year history of opposing bigotry, including antisemitism and “unjust violence.” CAIR officials argued that DeSantis and Abbott are attempting to “smear and silence Americans, especially American Muslims” who have been critical of U.S. support for Israel’s ongoing military operations in Gaza.
CAIR has vowed to file suit against Florida, mirroring the legal action it has already taken against the state of Texas.
Legislative Push and Federal Context
The executive order may be a precursor to statutory changes in Florida. DeSantis indicated that state lawmakers are currently drafting legislation to “stop the creep of Sharia law” and hoped they would codify protections against CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood into state law.
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The conflict highlights a growing divide between Republican state leaders and federal definitions of terrorism. While Abbott’s order in Texas prohibited the groups from acquiring property and authorized investigations into “Sharia law courts,” critics argue such state-level designations lack federal legal standing and infringe on civil liberties.
CAIR’s leadership further accused DeSantis of prioritizing foreign interests, claiming the Governor is “serving the Israeli government over serving the people of Florida” and diverting taxpayer funds to Israeli bonds.
As the legislative session approaches, the dispute is poised to become a significant legal and political battleground in the Sunshine State.
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