DeSantis Orders State-Level Designation Of Muslim Brotherhood And CAIR As Terrorist Organizations

Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis announced Monday that he has directed state agencies to treat the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) as foreign terrorist organizations at the state level. The directive instructs agencies to take "all lawful measures" to prevent what the order describes as unlawful activity, including denying privileges or resources to anyone who provides material support.

What The Order Says

The governor's order characterizes the Muslim Brotherhood as having a long history of supporting violence, political assassinations and attacks on civilians — claims presented in the directive as reasons for labeling the group a terrorist organization. The order also asserts that the Muslim Brotherhood and Hamas have fundraising networks that operate inside the United States. Those assertions are presented as the administration's rationale; they have not resulted in a federal Foreign Terrorist Organization (FTO) listing, which only the U.S. State Department can impose.

CAIR And The Response

Regarding CAIR, the order notes that some individuals formerly associated with the organization have been convicted of providing, or attempting to provide, material support to foreign terrorist groups. CAIR and its Florida chapter strongly rejected the designation in a joint statement, calling the proclamation politically motivated and unconstitutional.

CAIR-Florida said the administration "has targeted our civil rights group with this unconstitutional and defamatory proclamation," and pledged to challenge the action in court. The groups also accused Gov. DeSantis of prioritizing the interests of a foreign government and of attempting to silence critics of U.S. policy toward Israel.

A state official praised the directive on social media, saying Florida stands ready to support the order. Legal experts and civil-rights advocates, however, say a state-level designation raises constitutional concerns and that terrorism designations are typically the province of the federal government.

Legal Context And Next Steps

Florida's action is a state-level administrative designation and does not carry the legal weight of a federal FTO listing by the U.S. State Department. Similar actions in Texas prompted lawsuits and widespread criticism; CAIR has already challenged Texas' proclamation in court, arguing it violates the First Amendment and due-process protections. Legal challenges to Florida's order are likely given CAIR's stated intent to litigate.

Bottom line: The directive signals a new state-level stance by Florida leadership, but its practical and legal effects are uncertain and likely to be decided in the courts.