Florida Designates Muslim Rights Group as Terrorist Organization

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis has signed an executive order labeling the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR), one of the nation’s most influential Muslim civil rights organizations, as a “foreign terrorist organization,” escalating a political showdown that immediately triggered a legal battle.

CAIR’s Florida chapter announced a lawsuit arguing the order is unconstitutional, defamatory, and unsupported by evidence, while DeSantis claims—without federal confirmation—that CAIR has ties to Hamas, the Palestinian militant group responsible for the October 7, 2023 attacks on Israel.

The organization firmly denies any connection. The move follows a similar order issued last month by Texas Governor Greg Abbott, which CAIR is also fighting in federal court.

DeSantis said he welcomes litigation, suggesting it could allow the state to obtain CAIR’s financial and internal records through discovery.

The order further labels the Muslim Brotherhood a terrorist organization, although the U.S. government has not designated CAIR—or the Brotherhood broadly—as such.

The Florida directive bars CAIR from receiving state contracts, funding, or employment, marking a major escalation in the national debate over civil rights, extremism, and political power.