Tallahassee, Florida – Gov. Ron DeSantis’ decision to designate the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organizations is now at the center of a major constitutional battle in federal court.
The executive order, signed in December, directs Florida agencies to block state contracts, employment, and benefits from groups or individuals tied to the organizations. CAIR Florida immediately sued, arguing the designation violates First Amendment protections and unfairly targets Muslims. U.S. District Judge Mark Walker temporarily blocked the order earlier this year.
Florida Attorney General James Uthmeier has appealed, arguing the state is not restricting speech but preventing taxpayer resources from supporting groups it considers dangerous. The state is also attempting to remove Walker from the case, accusing him of political bias against the DeSantis administration.
The legal fight has revived decades-old debates surrounding CAIR’s inclusion as an “unindicted co-conspirator” in the 2007 Holy Land Foundation terrorism financing case. CAIR has repeatedly noted it was never charged with a crime, while critics continue citing alleged historical connections to Hamas-linked groups.
The controversy intensified after Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023, attack on Israel and the rise of pro-Palestinian campus protests nationwide. Civil rights advocates warn the designation could set a dangerous precedent for targeting political or religious organizations through executive authority.
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