Florida Designates CAIR a “Foreign Terrorist Organization,” Triggering Legal Challenge
Source: A Radical Guide
Executive Summary
Florida Governor Ron DeSantis issued an executive order designating the Council on American-Islamic Relations and the Muslim Brotherhood as “foreign terrorist organizations” and directing state agencies to restrict contracts, employment, and funding involving the two groups and alleged supporters. CAIR and CAIR-Florida said they will sue, arguing the governor lacks legal authority for such a designation and calling the order unconstitutional and defamatory. The move follows a similar Texas proclamation by Governor Greg Abbott that CAIR is already challenging in federal court.
Analysis
Florida’s action escalates a developing state-level approach in which governors apply terrorism-style labels to organizations that are not designated as Foreign Terrorist Organizations by the U.S. federal government. The executive order focuses on state procurement and employment restrictions and is framed by DeSantis as a security measure, while CAIR frames it as unlawful and politically motivated. The dispute is likely to be decided through litigation over state authority, constitutional protections, and whether Florida can enforce “material support” style restrictions absent a federal FTO designation.
DeSantis’ order designates CAIR and the Muslim Brotherhood as “foreign terrorist organizations” and instructs Florida agencies to block contracts, employment, and funding involving the groups and those who provided them material support.
CAIR-Florida leadership said the state has no legal basis to unilaterally label a nonprofit a terrorist organization and pledged to sue.
DeSantis publicly said he welcomes the lawsuit and suggested follow-on legislation could be introduced during the legislative session starting in January.
Associated Press reporting notes neither CAIR nor the Muslim Brotherhood is designated as a Foreign Terrorist Organization by the U.S. government.
CAIR referenced its ongoing federal lawsuit seeking to invalidate Texas Governor Abbott’s similar proclamation, arguing it is unsupported by Texas law and violates the Constitution.
The issue is unfolding alongside parallel developments in Texas and federal activity targeting some Muslim Brotherhood chapters, increasing the likelihood that more states consider similar actions. Near-term effects may include compliance changes by state agencies, reputational and operational impacts for entities interacting with the state, and accelerated court timelines if CAIR seeks emergency relief to block enforcement.
