Florida Labels Muslim Brotherhood and CAIR as Terrorist Organizations, DeSantis Announces

Florida Governor Ron DeSantis announced Monday that the state will designate the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as foreign terrorist organizations, mirroring a similar action taken recently by Texas Governor Greg Abbott.

“Florida agencies are hereby directed to undertake all lawful measures to prevent unlawful activities by these organizations, including denying privileges or resources to anyone providing material support,” DeSantis wrote in a statement posted on social media platform X.

The executive order claims the Muslim Brotherhood has a long history of engaging in and supporting violence, political assassinations, and terror attacks against civilians with the intent of establishing a worldwide Islamic caliphate. It further asserts that both the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas maintain active fundraising operations within the United States.

Regarding CAIR, which was established to challenge stereotypes against Islam and Muslims, the order states that individuals associated with the organization have been convicted of providing or aspiring to provide material support to foreign terrorist organizations.

Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier publicly supported the governor’s decision, writing, “Great news! Thanks for this important Executive Order, Governor. We are ready to support!”

The designation is significant as it marks an escalation in state-level actions against Islamic organizations that some conservative politicians have long criticized. However, it’s important to note that Florida’s designation operates only at the state level and doesn’t carry the legal force of a federal Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) listing, which can only be issued by the U.S. State Department.

CAIR and its Florida chapter released a joint statement condemning the governor’s action, characterizing it as prioritizing the interests of the Israeli government over Florida residents. “Like Greg Abbott in Texas, Ron DeSantis is an Israel First politician who wants to smear and silence Americans, especially American Muslims, critical of U.S. support for Israel’s war crimes,” the statement read.

The organization further described itself as “an American civil rights organization that has spent decades advancing free speech, religious freedom, and justice for all, including for the Palestinian people.” CAIR indicated they plan to challenge the designation in court, stating they “look forward to defeating Governor DeSantis’ latest Israel First stunt in a court of law, where facts matter and conspiracy theories have no weight.”

This move comes amidst increasing tension surrounding Middle Eastern politics in the United States, particularly following the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict that began in October 2023. Several states have witnessed growing activism both in support of Palestinians and Israel, especially on college campuses.

In Texas, where Governor Abbott made a similar designation, Muslim and interfaith leaders have demanded that the proclamation be reversed. CAIR has already filed a lawsuit against Texas, arguing that the governor’s declaration violates both the U.S. Constitution and state law. The organization contends that the order infringes on its First Amendment rights and due-process protections, while also asserting that terrorism designations fall under federal jurisdiction rather than state authority.

Critics of these state-level designations point out that they may be largely symbolic and potentially designed to appeal to particular political constituencies. Supporters, meanwhile, argue they represent a necessary step to curtail what they perceive as dangerous ideological influences in American society.

The situation highlights the complex intersection of national security concerns, religious freedom, and free speech protections that continue to challenge American legal and political systems, particularly in states where governors have taken more aggressive approaches to issues related to immigration and perceived foreign influences.